[Impact of colpocleisis on body image in women with severe pelvic organ prolapse].

Objective: To investigate the impact of colpocleisis on body image in women with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: From Oct. 2005 to Feb. 2010, 60 POP patients with stage III and IV by POP quantitation system underwent total or partial colpocleisis. Patients received body image evaluation before and 1 year after operation.

Results: One year after operation, 52 (87%, 52/60) patients completed body image evaluation. Before and 1 year after operation, the ratio of answer "Not at all" of questions such as "Have you felt less physically attractive as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Have you been feeling less feminine as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Did you find it difficult to look at yourself naked?", "Have you been feeling less sexually attractive as a result of your vaginal prolapse?", "Have you felt dissatisfied with your body?" were 25% and 96% (P < 0.01), 21% and 96% (P < 0.01), 37% and 67% (P = 0.018), 29% and 96% (P < 0.01), 12% and 83% (P < 0.01), respectively, indicating significant improvement on body image after operation for patients treated by colpocleisis.

Conclusion: Women underwent colpocleisis for severe POP could not decrease their body image as a result of the disability of vaginal intercourse.