Postpartum pelvic organ prolapse worsens sexual function, QoL, psychological health

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) after delivery appears to result in poorer sexual function, quality of life (QoL), and psychological health, suggests a China study.

“Living with POP after delivery negatively impacted women’s daily living and was detrimental to their psychological health,” the investigators said.

A total of 640 women who visited an obstetric clinic in two hospitals in Shenzhen, China, were included in this cross-sectional study. All participants completed the following questionnaires: short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) on sexual function, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) on well-being and QoL, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) on psychological health, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form.

Of the women, 250 had symptomatic POP and 390 no symptoms. Symptomatic participants had higher mean scores (p<0.05) than those without symptoms in PISQ-12, PFDI-20, and SCL-90-R domains. In the symptomatic POP group, women with sexual dysfunction (n=137) had significantly higher mean scores (p<0.001) in PISQ-12, PFDI-20, and SCL-90-R domains than those who were sexually functional (n=113).

Mean scores in PISQ-12, PFDI-20, and SCL-90-R domains were also significantly higher among women with POP duration ≥6 months (n=132) than those with POP duration <6 months (n=118).

On the multiple linear regression model of PISQ-12, questionnaire score correlated independently with constipation history, regular pelvic floor muscle training, parity, and symptomatic POP (p<0.05).

“The significantly pervasive nature of POP often leads to the neglect of a substantial percentage of sexual problems and related emotional suffering, emphasizing the critical importance of raising awareness about this issue among clinicians and the general public,” the investigators said.