title: Sexual function is related to body image perception in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. lowensteinmd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lowenstein
authors.forename: Tondalaya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Tatiana V Deniseiko
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Sanses
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Raalte
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carberry
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jakus
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kambiss
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McAchran
authors.forename: Thythy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aschkenazi
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoskey
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kenton
mesh_terms: 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