Does vaginal reconstructive surgery with or without vaginal hysterectomy or trachelectomy improve sexual well being? A prospective follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare sexual well being in women with pelvic organ prolapse before and after vaginal reconstructive surgery.


METHODS
Sixty-seven women, mean age 61 (36-85) years, who underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery, were asked to complete detailed questionnaires before and after surgery. In addition, they underwent a physical examination using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ), before surgery and at follow-up.


RESULTS
Mean duration of follow-up was 14.4 months (6.6-27.6 months). The overall satisfaction with the operation was high with a mean of 7.5 on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. There was a significant improvement of dyspareunia after vaginal reconstructive surgery. The ability to have intercourse, the satisfaction with intercourse as well as the frequency of intercourse also improved although not significantly. Urine loss during intercourse improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse has a positive effect on the sexual well being of the afflicted women.
Stoutjesdijk
Jackie A
JA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. stoutste@hotmail.com
Vierhout
Mark E
ME
Spruijt
Johan W M
JW
Massolt
Elske T
ET
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014782:Visceral Prolapse / Q000601:surgery