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Recovering sexual satisfaction after prolapse surgery: a secondary analysis of surgical recovery

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

We compared pre- and postoperative sexual function scores in sexually active women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.

Methods

Planned secondary analysis of women enrolled in the Restricted Convalescence: Outcomes Following Urogynecologic Procedures study, a randomized trial of postoperative activity after POP surgery. All participants could return to sexual activity at 6 weeks. Participants completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI), the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) profile, and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaires at baseline and 3 months. GRISS is a validated 28-item survey for heterosexual couples that contains seven subscales to assess sexual function. Higher scores represent worse sexual function.

Results

Thirty-seven sexually active women were assessed. Mean age ±  standard deviation (SD) was 56 ± 11, most of whom (92%) were Caucasian; 78% had undergone minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy, and the remainder had native tissue vaginal repairs. GRISS scores improved 3 months after surgery [4.5 ± 2.6 to 3.6 ± 2.2, p < 0.001; mean decrease of 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–1.36]. PFDI scores improved from 122 ± 53 at baseline to 28 ± 31 at 3 months (p < 0.001). Higher GRISS scores were correlated with higher PFDI scores (Spearman’s rho = 0.35, p = 0.03) at baseline and 3 months (Spearman’s rho = 0.31, p = 0.03). Several GRISS subscales improved after surgery: partner avoidance (p = 0.01), vaginismus (p = 0.02), noncommunication (p = 0.01), dissatisfaction (p = 0.03), and anorgasmia (p = 0.001). However, sexual infrequency (p = 0.08) and nonsensuality (p = 0.4) did not change. Fifty-one percent had sexual dysfunction before surgery, which decreased to 32% after surgery (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Sexual function and satisfaction are significantly improved 3 months following POP surgery. Improved sexual function is correlated with improved pelvic floor symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northwestern University, 250 E Superior Street- Suite 5-2370, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Julia Geynisman-Tan, Kimberly Kenton, Alix Komar, Sarah Collins, Christina Lewicky-Gaupp & Margaret G. Mueller

Authors
  1. Julia Geynisman-Tan
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  2. Kimberly Kenton
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  3. Alix Komar
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  4. Sarah Collins
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  5. Christina Lewicky-Gaupp
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  6. Margaret G. Mueller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia Geynisman-Tan.

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Conflicts of interest

Dr. Kimberly Kenton has received research funding from Boston Scientific. Drs. Kenton and Collins are expert witnesses for Ethicon. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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Presentation

This work was presented orally as a poster at the American Urogynecology Society Meeting in 2017 in Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

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Geynisman-Tan, J., Kenton, K., Komar, A. et al. Recovering sexual satisfaction after prolapse surgery: a secondary analysis of surgical recovery. Int Urogynecol J 29, 1675–1680 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3690-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3690-7

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