Effects of genital prolapse surgery on sexuality.
OBJECTIVE
A prospective study was performed to evaluate the effects of genital prolapse surgery on sexuality. Additionally we investigated which variables are risk factors for persistence or development of sexual problems after surgery.


METHODS
All 82 patients participating in a randomized trial comparing vaginal and abdominal surgical correction of descensus uteri, were asked to complete the Questionnaire for screening Sexual Dysfunctions (QSD) before and at six months and one year after surgery.


RESULTS
Sixty-two patients completed the questionnaire. General satisfaction about sexuality was significantly improved after surgery. Of 41 patients who were sexually active both before surgery and at one year after surgery, 28 (68.3%) patients reported sexual problems before surgery. In 13 (46.4%) of these patients, all sexual problems disappeared. Of the 13 patients without sexual problems before surgery, two patients reported de novo sexual problems. The relative risk on disappearance of sexual problems in patients with large cystocele was 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.1-2.1) times higher than the risk in patients without large cystocele.


CONCLUSIONS
Satisfaction about sexuality increases and the prevalence of sexual problems decreases in patients undergoing surgical correction of descensus uteri.
Roovers
Jan-Paul
JP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands. j_proovers@hotmail.com
van der Bom
Anske
A
van Leeuwen
Jules Schagen
JS
Scholten
Piet
P
Heintz
Peter
P
van der Vaart
Huub
H
D003127:Colposcopy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*