Does vaginal reconstructive surgery with or without vaginal hysterectomy or trachelectomy improve sexual well being? A prospective follow-up study.

Objective: To compare sexual well being in women with pelvic organ prolapse before and after vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Methods: Sixty-seven women, mean age 61 (36-85) years, who underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery, were asked to complete detailed questionnaires before and after surgery. In addition, they underwent a physical examination using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ), before surgery and at follow-up.

Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 14.4 months (6.6-27.6 months). The overall satisfaction with the operation was high with a mean of 7.5 on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. There was a significant improvement of dyspareunia after vaginal reconstructive surgery. The ability to have intercourse, the satisfaction with intercourse as well as the frequency of intercourse also improved although not significantly. Urine loss during intercourse improved significantly.

Conclusion: Vaginal reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse has a positive effect on the sexual well being of the afflicted women.