J Menopausal Med.  2018 Aug;24(2):108-112. 10.6118/jmm.2018.24.2.108.

Comparison of Anogenital Distance and Correlation with Vulvo-vaginal Atrophy: A Pilot Study on Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

• Domenici L
• Musella A
• Bracchi C
• Lecce F
• Schiavi MC
• Colagiovanni V
• Di Donato
• Marchetti
• Tomao F
• Palaia I
• Muzii L
• Benedetti Panici P

• KMID: 2419619
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2018.24.2.108

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Anogenital distance (AGD) represents the space between labia posterior commissure and anus. This was pilot study to investigate how menopause and so lack of oestrogens affects AGD.
METHODS
A total of 109 patients were enrolled. AGD was measured in lithotomy position using sterile paper ruler. Anogenital index (AGI) was used to control 2 variables of height and weight (body mass index, kg/m2). Vaginal health index (VHI) was used to evaluate vaginal wellness. Female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire was administered to all women to evaluate the impact of menopause on their sexual function.
RESULTS
AGD (30.87 ± 2.98 vs. 17.57 ± 2.18; P = 0.0001) and AGI (1.40 ± 0.21 vs. 0.70 ± 0.15; P = 0.0001) were both significantly lower in the postmenopausal group. Postmenopausal women were affected by vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) significantly. Thus, VHI scores were dramatically worse in postmenopausal group (23.95 ± 1.28 vs. 10.75 ± 3.41; P = 0.0001) as well as FSFI results (32.68 ± 2.25 vs. 19.78 ± 5.46; P = 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that AGD in post-menopausal women was significantly shorter than AGD in premenopausal women, correlating with an increase of VVA and sexual impairment. Changes of AGD and AGI demonstrated to predict hormonal changes that may occur after menopause.

Keyword

Anal canal; Atrophy; Genitalia female; Menopause; Sexuality

MeSH Terms

Anal Canal
Atrophy*
Female
Humans
Menopause
Pilot Projects*
Sexuality

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Anogenital distance (AGD).

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  Fig. 2 Comparison between premenopause and postmenopause values of anogenital distance (AGD) (P < 0.0001).

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  Fig. 3 Distribution of vaginal health index (VHI) scores in the premenopausal and postmenopausal group.

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  Fig. 4 Distribution of female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire scores in the premenopausal and postmenopausal group.

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