Effect of Peripheral Neuromodulation on Vaginal Blood Flow

The researchers want to see if nerve stimulation interventions cause a change in vaginal blood flow. The effect of this intervention will be compared between women who have neurogenic (spinal cord injury) or non-neurogenic dysfunction and healthy women.


Eligibility Criteria:
Non-dysfunction participants, no spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender female
* Neurologically stable
* Sexually active at least once per month
* Able to consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

* Male
* Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
* Sexual dysfunction, per short-form Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score below 19
* Lubrication difficulties, per short-form FSFI lubrication subdomain score below or equal to 4
* Clinically diagnosed bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, or other pelvic organ symptoms
* Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy
* Active infection or active pressure sores in the perineal region
* Implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other nerve stimulator
* Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.

Sexual dysfunction participants, non- spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender female
* Neurologically stable
* Sexually active at least once per month
* Sexual dysfunction, per short-form FSFI score below 19
* Lubrication difficulties, per short-form FSFI lubrication subdomain score below or equal to 3
* Able to understand consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

* Male
* Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
* Clinically diagnosed bladder dysfunction, pelvic pain, or other pelvic organ symptoms
* Active infection or active pressure sores in the pelvic region
* Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
* Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.

Sexual dysfunction participants with spinal cord injury

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (over 18 years old) cis-gender women
* Clinically diagnosed spinal cord injury (AIS A-B) at vertebral level within C6-T10 at least six months prior or clinically diagnosed spinal cord injury (AIS C) at vertebral level within C4-T10 at least six months prior
* Nominally sexually active, but at minimum interest in sexual pleasure even if fully self-induced
* Sexual dysfunction, per short-form FSFI score below 19
* Able to understand consent and communicate effectively with research team

Exclusion Criteria:

* Male
* Spinal cord injury at or above C5 level (C1-C5) if AIS A or B, or spinal cord injury at or above C3 level (C1-C3) if AIS C
* Spinal cord injury below T10 vertebral level or reflexes not preserved
* Acute worsening in motor or sensory function in the last month
* Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy
* Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant during study period
* Active infection or active pressure sores in the perineal region
* Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
* Currently has or tested positive in the last 14 days for COVID-19 or is symptomatic for COVID-19.