Normative values for female genital sensation

Objectives. Neurologic disorders might be responsible for many cases of fem ale sexual dysfunction. Yet, they are currently undiagnosed because of the lack of measurement tools to assess genital neural function. Therefore, our objective is to provide norms for sensory thresholds in the vagina and cli toris, for a wide range of patient ages. Methods. Vaginal and clitoral warm, cold, and vibratory sensory thresholds were measured in 89 healthy paid volunteers by the method of limits. Normog rams were derived from this group of healthy volunteers. An additional 61 p atients were also tested, for a total of 150 individuals. Sixty-two individ uals (42 healthy volunteers and 20 patients) from the total group were test ed twice to provide test-to-test repeatability data across the range of cli nical (normal and abnormal) responses. Results. Normograms are presented, providing age-corrected upper and lower normal values, expressed as 95% confidence limits for warm, cold, and vibra tory thresholds. Intertest repeatability is also reported. Conclusions. Thermal and vibratory thresholds of both the vaginal and clito ral region are clinically feasible, valid, and repeatable. These can be app lied as a valuable diagnostic tool to assess neural dysfunction through sen sory assessment of the female genitalia. UROLOGY 56: 1035-1040, 2000. (C) 2 000, Elsevier Science Inc.