Sexual function is related to body image perception in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
BACKGROUND
A previous study demonstrated that women seeking treatment for advanced pelvic organ prolapsed (POP) reported decreased self-perceived body image and decreased quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between: (i) sexual function and POP, (ii) self-perceived body image and POP; and (iii) sexual function and self-perceived body image in women with prolapse.


METHODS
After IRB approval, consecutive women with POP stage II or greater presenting for urogynecologic care at one of eight academic medical centers in the United States were invited to participate. In addition to routine urogynecologic history and physical examination, including pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ), consenting participants completed three validated questionnaires: Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) to assess sexual function; Modified Body Image Perception Scale (MBIS) to assess self-perceived body image; Prolapse subscale of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (POPDI-6) to assess condition specific bother from POP. Pearson's correlations were used to investigate the relationship between independent variables.


METHODS
Sexual function and modified body image score and its correlation with symptoms of POP.


RESULTS
Three hundred eighty-four participants with a mean age of 62 +/- 12 years were enrolled. Median POPQ stage was 3 (range 2-4). 62% (N = 241) were sexually active and 77% (N = 304) were post-menopausal. Mean PISQ-12, MBIS, and POPDI scores were (33 +/- 7, 6 +/- 5, 39 +/- 23, respectively). PISQ-12 scores were not related to stage or compartment (anterior, apical, or posterior) of POP (P > 0.5). Worse sexual function (lower PSIQ-12 scores) correlated with lower body image perception (higher MBIS scores) (rho = -0.39, P < 0001) and more bothersome POP (higher POPDI scores) (rho = -0.34, P < 0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual function is related to a woman's self-perceived body image and degree of bother from POP regardless of vaginal topography. Sexual function may be more related to a woman's perception of her body image than to actual topographical changes from POP.
Lowenstein
Lior
L
Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. lowensteinmd@gmail.com
Gamble
Tondalaya
T
Sanses
Tatiana V Deniseiko
TV
van Raalte
Heather
H
Carberry
Cassandra
C
Jakus
Sharon
S
Kambiss
Scott
S
McAchran
Sarah
S
Pham
Thythy
T
Aschkenazi
Sarit
S
Hoskey
Kay
K
Kenton
Kimberly
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000150:complications*; D010465:Perception; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D012938:Social Perception; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires