Sexual function and fertility in young female adults surgically treated for anorectal malformations

Topic overview

Key takeaways

• Female adults surgically treated for anorectal malformations have sexual function comparable to healthy controls except for reduced desire.
• Sexual function strongly correlates with health-related quality of life (ρ=0.82) but not with bowel function scores in ARM patients.
• 71% of female ARM patients achieved sexual debut at mean age 16.3 years; 20% of sexually active women became pregnant.
• Menarche occurred at normal age (mean 12.7 years) in female ARM patients, suggesting preserved reproductive development.
• Interventions targeting health-related quality of life may improve sexual function outcomes in female ARM survivors.

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