What predicts improvement of sexual function after pelvic floor surgery? A follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors predictive for changes in sexual function after pelvic floor surgery and explore differences between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.

DESIGN: Prospective observational study.

SETTING: St Olav Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.

SAMPLE: Of 346 mailed questionnaires for women scheduled for SUI and POP surgery, 65 questionnaires were available for analysis together with examination findings before and 1 year after surgery.

METHODS: Postal questionnaires including Prolapse and Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ 12), Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5 for psychological distress, questions from the validated Body Image Questionnaire, a general health question, questions addressing goals for improvement after surgery, clinical findings based on the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System and Brief Sexual Function Index for partners. Uni- and multivariate linear regressions adjusting for age were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in PISQ 12 score at follow-up.

RESULTS: Sexual function significantly improved in the total group (p = 0.000). After stratification into SUI and POP surgery, improvement only remained significant after SUI surgery (p = 0.001). Improvement for the total group was predicted by good health or coital incontinence, whereas psychological distress or the goal of improved defecation predicted deterioration. For women undergoing SUI surgery, increasing age, parity or the goal of improving sexuality or body image predicted improvement, while for women undergoing POP surgery, menopausal status or anterior colporrhaphy predicted improvement.

CONCLUSION: Significantly improved sexuality was observed after pelvic floor surgery. Predictive factors for change differed for women undergoing SUI surgery and and those undergoing POP surgery.