Patient beliefs regarding hysterectomy in women seeking surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: findings in a predominantly Hispanic population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the proportion of women who opt for hysterectomy when seeking care for pelvic organ prolapse and the factors important in their decision making.

METHODS: One hundred twenty-four patients from July 2011 through August 2012 seeking care for pelvic organ prolapse were recruited to complete a questionnaire regarding their beliefs about uterine preservation at the time of prolapse repair, as well as the PFDI-7 and PSIQ-12. Patients completed a questionnaire before physician consultation that included demographic data, beliefs regarding the social, sexual, and emotional impact of hysterectomy, and sources of information.

RESULTS: The women were predominantly Hispanic (77.4%), postmenopausal (65.3%), and sexually active (42.7%). Almost half of the women had a limited education level, defined as no high school degree (49.2%), and the majority of the women had an annual income of less than $25,000 (66.9%). Thirty-one percent of patients desired to retain their uterus at the time of prolapse repair when given the choice. Most patients received information from their health care provider and family members, very few from the Internet or media sources.

CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-one percent of the largely Hispanic women with lower income in this study would choose to preserve their uterus at the time of prolapse repair, a proportion lower than what was reported from previous studies performed in white women with higher income.