Vaginal dynamic pressure measurements and vaginal sensibility (reflex) tests in asymptomatic women: an explorative study

Anno 2012, there is still no consensus about the vaginal pressure profile in
asymptomatic women. Although various devices and techniques have been developed
to measure vaginal pressure, none of these techniques actually measured
absolute and dynamic pressure. Furthermore, the vaginal canal does not contain
one uniform pressure zone, but three different pressure segments (distal, mid,
proximal). Until now, the majority of studies have not attempted to distinguish
pressures in the different segments of the vaginal canal. We hypothesize that
dynamic vaginal pressure measurement can be a valuable tool to differentiate
between female sexual disorders like dyspareunia and vaginismus. Therefore, we
first want to determine the norms for dynamic vaginal pressure in asymptomatic
women. In the future, based on the pressure profile, vaginismus probably can be
distinguished from dyspareunia. The female reproductive tract is not simply a
passive conduit for the passage of the penis, foetus, semen and menses but a
responsive, active canal equipped with subtle reflectory activity. Taken the
embryology in consideration, the vaginal canal originates from the same germ
line as the anal canal. Therefore, we hypothesize that the vaginal canal might
have similar reflexes as the anal canal. At the University Medical Center in
Groningen a new technique with advanced microsensors has been developed to
measure absolute dynamic vaginal pressure in different segments of the vaginal
canal, and to measure vaginal reflexes as well.

The primary objective of this study is to asses the dynamic vaginal pressure
profile in asymptomatic women. The secondary objective is to assess vaginal
reflexes in asymptomatic women.

An explorative study.

There are no risks associated with participation. For the vaginal tests, a thin
catheter will be placed in the vaginal canal. Next to that a small balloon will
be placed in the vagina and slowly inflated with water of body temperature. As
soon as the patient experiences pain, the tests will be stopped. The burden
mainly consists of the time it takes to fill out questionnaires and to undergo
the vaginal pressure- and reflex tests. Participants will receive a
compensation.