Clinical Research Directory

Comparison of Outpatient Rehabilitation Versus Self-training for the Treatment and Prevention of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The main goal of this study to compare self-training postpartum and training with a specialist support (physiotherapist and physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor) effect on pelvic floor dysfunction prevention and treatment in postpartum period. Hypothesis: The implementation of postpartum rehabilitation helps to alleviate existing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and prevents pelvic floor dysfunction. Study goals: * To objectively evaluate changes in pelvic organ position and pelvic floor muscle function in postpartum period, before and after specialised rehabilitation program * To objectively evaluate pelvic floor symptoms and their influence on woman life quality * To compare data (changes in pelvic floor muscle coordination and strength, pelvic organ position and changes in life quality according to validated questionnaires) Study participants will: * Get an examination by obstetrician-gynaecologist, physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor and physiotherapist in 6 to 10 weeks postpartum period. * One group of participants will attend physiotherapy, biofeedback and electro stimulation procedures with a guidance of a specialist. * Other group of participants gets a recommendations and instructions of training and self-trains at home. To remind of training and help record training time "squeezy" app (an application designed for a mobile device) will be offered. * All groups of participants will be asked to fill life quality related questionnaires: (ICIQ-UI SF: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire; P-QoL: Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire; PISQ-IR: Pelvic Organ Prolapse/ Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA revised; FSFI: female sexual function index; MOS-SF36 Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36).

Effects of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology on Sexual Function and Behavior

This cross-sectional observational study examines how infertility and the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) are related to sexual function and sexual behaviors in women seeking fertility treatment. Infertility and the stress of ART may be associated with changes in sexual desire, satisfaction, and activity. The purpose is to better understand these associations to support the sexual health and overall well-being of women undergoing fertility care. Women who are assigned female at birth, under 45 years old, diagnosed with infertility, and attending appointments at the MUHC Reproductive Centre are invited to take part. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire while waiting for their clinical visit. The questionnaire includes the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which measures different aspects of sexual function, and additional questions about sexual activities, such as frequency of intercourse and other behaviors before and after fertility treatments. Participants will not provide any identifying information. Completed questionnaires will be placed in a secure collection box to protect confidentiality. Data from approximately 500 participants will be analyzed to explore how infertility type (primary vs. secondary), duration of infertility, and the number of unsuccessful ART cycles relate to sexual function and behavior. Findings from this study may help healthcare providers better recognize and address the sexual health concerns of women with infertility. This study is approved by the McGill University Health Centre Research Ethics Board (REB #2025-11459).

Vibrator Use to Improve Sexual and Pelvic Floor Function Among Urogynecology Patients

Limited data exist describing the use and role of vibrators in a urogynecology population and no randomized controlled trials investigating the use of vibrators as a therapeutic tool to enhance sexual and pelvic floor function in urogynecology patients has been conducted. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of vibrator use in improving sexual and pelvic floor function in urogynecology patients who report sexual dysfunction.

THERAPEUTIC EDUCATION of SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS in WOMEN SURVIVORS of SEXUAL VIOLENCE and FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Violence against women is a problem that affects women all over the planet, causing physical, emotional, and other repercussions for its survivors. Pelvic floor dysfunctions, especially female sexual dysfunctions, are among the most common physical consequences for women who have suffered sexual violence or female genital mutilation. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is the first-line treatment for these dysfunctions, with therapeutic education being one of its main strategies due to its importance in the cognitive approach and for promoting patient adherence to the proposed treatments. Women who are survivors of sexual violence and female genital mutilation, being at risk for these disorders, express the need to receive information about these dysfunctions and their possible treatments. However, it has been shown that their knowledge in this regard is limited. Therefore, a project is proposed with the objective of determining the effectiveness of an intervention based on therapeutic education in the prevention and management of sexual dysfunctions secondary to sexual violence or female genital mutilation. A group educational program is proposed, which allows survivor women to address these dysfunctions in a non-invasive way. Six sessions are planned to promote the development of various competencies: communicating their needs, integrating knowledge about their health problem, identifying and analyzing, decision-making and know-how, problem-solving, using healthcare resources and asserting their rights. This will provide these women a safe space to share their experiences, learn to manage them, acquire knowledge about the pelvic floor, related dysfunctions and their treatment, as well as self-efficacy tools for dealing with sexual dysfunctions.

Adipose Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell (AD-MSC) Therapy for the Treatment of Sexual Function Impairment in Female

Hormones are a chemical substance synthesized and secreted by endocrine gland. Several vital hormones, including Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and Estradiol (E2), play crucial roles in regulating female sexual function.- Hormone therapy is used to treat female hormone deficiency and results in a significant improvement, but long-term use increases cardiovascular disease or cancer risk. Other treatments do not give apparent results. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new and effective treatments to achieve the requirements of improving health in general and sexual health in particularly in women. AD-MSCs have been widely used as autologous and allogeneic stem cell sources to treat numerous disease recently, and they have been proven to be safe. The phase I trial showed that administration of autologous AD-MSCs at the dose of 1.0 x 10\^6 cells/kg patient bodyweight was safe for patients with sex hormone deficiency. The therapy introduced potential improvement in sexual and general quality of life indicating by the increased FSFI. Therefore, this phase II trial to evaluate efficiency of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells therapy in treatment of female patients with sexual function impairment.