Male and female sexual function after surgical repair of female organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION: Few data are available referring to male and female sexual function after prolapse repair of symptomatic pelvic organ.

AIM: Primary aim of this study is to determine the male and female sexual function before and after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire for female patients and for their male partners the Brief Male Sexual Inventory (BMSI) as measurement of sexual function.

METHODS: We included sexually active heterosexual couples that were referred to the Department of Urogynaecology because of symptomatic cystocele, rectocele or vault descent. For cystoceles, anterior repair was performed, for rectoceles posterior repair, and for vault descent sacrospinous ligament fixation. FSFI and BMSI questionnaires were distributed before and after pelvic organ surgery and 4 months after. Female clinical examination assessing the degree of prolapse was performed before and 6 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS: A full data set of 70 female questionnaires and 64 male questionnaires could be evaluated. Two cases of female de novo dyspareunia occurred. In women, FSFI scores improved significantly in the domains desire, arousal, lubrication, overall satisfaction, and particularly pain. Orgasm remained unchanged. In men, interest, sexual drive, and overall satisfaction improved significantly. Erection, ejaculatory function, and orgasm remained unchanged. Despite remaining unchanged, erection, strength of erection, ejaculation, and orgasm were not considered problems anymore compared to preoperative BMSI scores.

CONCLUSION: Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse improves male and female sexual function in some domains but not in all.