Sexual activity of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKH Syndrome) – preliminary study

Introduction & Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess sexual activity of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS) in relation to age-matched controls. Also, the hypotheses on the differences between the two groups with regard to the types of sexual activity and its characteristics were verified.

Methods: 31 patients with MRKHS and 31 healthy women were examined. Psychosexual biography was used to gain information on autoerotic and dyadic behavior. Phi-coefficient and U Mann-Whitney tests were performed.

Results: Women with MRKHS started autoerotic behavior at a similar age (U = 58,00; ns), practiced masturbation with the same frequency (in adolescence – U = 350,00; ns and adulthood – U = 137,50; ns) and manifested a similar level of sexual arousal (U = 326,50; ns) as the age-matched controls. They declared experiencing vaginal (Phi = 0,507; p < 0,001) and oral (Phi = 0,318; p < 0,05) intercourse less frequently than healthy women. They also initiated dyadic sexual activity at higher age than the controls (petting U = 182,00; p < 0,01; req = 0,41; vaginal intercourse (U = 64,00; 0 < 0,001; req = 0,59; oral contact (U = 91,50; p < 0,05; req = 0,56). Women in both groups experienced similar orgasmic frequency during petting (U = 108,50; ns), oral intercourse (U = 97,50; ns), anal intercourse (U = 25,50; ns). However, patients with the MRKHS reported significantly lower frequency of orgasm during vaginal intercourse (U = 60,50; p < 0,05; req = 0,36).

Conclusions: Sexual development of patients with MRKHS is partly similar to that in healthy women. Differences in dyadic sexual activity are not limited to vaginal intercourse and therefore, are probably determined by biological conditions and their psychological implications.