title: Evaluation of confounding factors interfering with sexual function in women with minimal pelvic organ prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of confounding factors on sexual function in women with minimal pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at a cervical cancer screening center in Turkey between December 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013. Symptom-free women with stage I or II POP were enrolled to evaluate the association between sexual function and sociodemographic variables, POP, POP-related quality of life, stress incontinence, and overactive bladder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 243 volunteers (mean age 46.0±9.1 years), 188 (77.4%) had a low Female Sexual Function Index score. Women with better sexual function tended to be younger, have a higher salary, not be in the menopause, and have no chronic illness (P<0.05 for all). There was no difference between the groups in terms of POP Quantification measurements (P>0.05), apart from transvaginal length (P=0.011). Overactive bladder was more common (P=0.005) and more severe (P=0.002) in women with sexual dysfunction, and their POP-related quality of life was worse (P<0.05). In a linear regression analysis, high salary had a positive effect and overactive bladder had a negative effect on sexual function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in women with minimal POP. Overactive bladder and low income are the major factors adversely affecting sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pamukkale University Medical School, Denizli, Turkey. Electronic address: aysunkarabulut@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Aysun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Denizli Health Services Vocational College, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Pamukkale University Medical School, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilüfer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.affiliation: Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Center, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tülay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Overactive bladder; Pelvic organ prolapse; Quality of life; Sexual dysfunction