Study objective: To assess the effectiveness of psychosexual education on promoting sexual function and genital self-image and reducing sexual distress through e-learning among women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Imam Khomeini Hospital "Pelvic Floor Clinic" in Tehran.
Participants: Thirty-eight 15- to 49-year-old women with MRKH syndrome who had undergone surgical or nonsurgical vaginal reconstruction techniques more than 6 months before the intervention were assigned to 2 parallel intervention and control groups of 19 each.
Interventions: Psychosexual education was delivered through e-learning for the intervention group over an 8-week period, with no limitations of time and space. Sexual function, genital self-image, and sexual distress were evaluated at baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention.
Main outcome measures: The data collection tools included the Persian version of the Female Sexual Function Index, Female Genital Self-Image Scale, and the Revised Female Sexual Distress Scale.
Results: The between group mean differences of sexual function, genital self-image, and sexual distress after 4 weeks (-1.2 [95% CI, -2.1 to -0.1], P = .025; -1.9 [95% CI, -2.9 to -0.9], P < .001; 4.2 [95% CI, 2.0-6.4], P < .001, respectively), as well as after 8 weeks (-1.8 [95% CI, -3.1 to -0.5], P = .009; -3.0 [95% CI, -4.5 to -1.5], P < .001; 6.7, 95% CI, 3.9-9.6], P <0.001, respectively) after baseline were significant.
Conclusion: Psychosexual education improved sexual function and genital self-image and reduced sexual distress in women with MRKH syndrome. Therefore, using this approach, we can raise individuals' sexual knowledge and skills and correct their sexual beliefs and attitudes.
Keywords: E-learning; Genital self-image; Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome; Sexual distress; Sexual function.
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