VIBRATORY PERCEPTION THRESHOLDS IN THE FEMALE GENITAL REGION

Vibratory perception thresholds (VPT) were determined in the hands, feet and genital region by means of an electromagnetic vibrator and expressed in terms of amplitude of stimulator movements measured by an accelerometer. Eight healthy women volunteers aged 27-44 were examined on 8-11 occasions each during the menstrual cycle. Ninety-five further women, aged 35-45 were consecutively selected from the waiting list for hysterectomy for non-malignant disorders and examined on one occasion each. VPT measurements were correlated to menstrual phases and blood oestradiol values. In the healthy volunteer group the mean VPT for clitoris was 0.27 mu (SD 0.10, range 0.09-0.48), for hands 0.19 mu (SD 0.09, range 0.05-0.37) and feet 0.51 mu (SD 0.39, range 0.17-1.5). In none of the two groups were there any significant differences between the VPTs of the different phases of the menstrual cycles nor was there any significant correlation between VPT and serum oestradiol levels.