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Body image in women before and after reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study seeks to determine the impact of prolapse surgery on body image in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

Case-control study of 76 sexually active women with greater than or equal to stage II prolapse planning reconstructive surgery and 67 women with lesser than or equal to stage I prolapse. Questionnaires/examinations were completed at baseline and 6 months postoperatively for cases and at baseline for controls: Body Exposure During Sexual Activity Questionnaire (BESAQ), Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI)/Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse–Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) examination.

Results

Baseline and 6-month data were available for 64 case women with mean age of 60 ± 8 years, mean body mass index of 28 ± 5 kg/m2, 96% Caucasian, and 83% postmenopausal. Baseline POPQ stage distribution was: stage II 14%, stage III 78%, and stage IV 8%. BESAQ, BIQLI, PFDI/PFIQ, and PISQ-12 postoperative scores significantly improved compared to preoperatively (all p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

Body image, sexual function, and pelvic floor symptoms improve after prolapse surgery.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank Marijane Krohn, PhD for her statistical support and review of this paper.

Financial acknowledgments

Irene McLenahan Young Investigator’s Research Award, Magee-Womens Research Institute and the American Urogynecology Society Foundation-Astellas Research Award 1.

Conflicts of interest

None

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Jerry L. Lowder, Chiara Ghetti, Pamela Moalli & Halina Zyczynski

  2. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Thomas F. Cash

Authors
  1. Jerry L. Lowder
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  2. Chiara Ghetti
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  3. Pamela Moalli
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  4. Halina Zyczynski
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  5. Thomas F. Cash
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Correspondence to Jerry L. Lowder.

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Lowder, J.L., Ghetti, C., Moalli, P. et al. Body image in women before and after reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J 21, 919–925 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1141-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1141-1

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