title: Vaginal dilation treatment in women with vaginal hypoplasia: a prospective one-year follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vaginal dilation treatment has been shown to be a (cost) effective first-line alternative to surgery in normalizing vaginal length and improving sexual function in women with vaginal hypoplasia. There remains, however, a need for prospective studies, with long-term assessment of multiple outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, single-centre observational study of 16 women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (n = 12) or 46,XY disorders of sex development (n = 4). All women underwent an outpatient vaginal dilation program supervised by a psychologist and physiotherapist. At baseline (T0), stop of treatment (T1) and 1 year follow-up (T2), semistructured interviews, and validated questionnaires assessed sexual function and distress, self-esteem, vaginal perceptions, and health-related quality of life. Gynecological examinations evaluated vaginal dimensions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten women completed the program, 3 are still in the program, and dilation failed in 3 and chose vaginoplasty. Sixty-nine percent reached a normal vaginal length (≥6.5 cm) in 5.8 ± 3.3 months. Seventy percent were sexually active with pleasurable experiences at T1, 57% at T2. The significant decrease in sexual distress at T1 (P < .05) was followed by a nonsignificant increase at T2. Depressive mood symptomatology remained high at T1 and T2, related to loss of bodily integrity and fertility. The majority refused further psychological counseling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal dilation treatment should remain the cornerstone of treatment in women with vaginal hypoplasia. However, the diagnosis remains to have a negative impact on emotional well-being in the long term. The role of psychological intervention as both a primary and adjuvant treatment needs clear evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Callens
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weyers
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monstrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stockman
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Hoorde
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Psychology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Hoecke
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Griet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Cuypere
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoebeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University and University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Martine.Cools@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cools
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome; complete androgen insensitivity syndrome; psychosexual functioning; vaginal dilation; vaginal reconstruction