INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms in a community-dwelling population in the United Kingdom.
METHODS: All women over the age of 18 from a community practice were sent the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for vaginal symptoms (ICIQ-VS), to determine their POP symptoms. Data were analysed as numbers (raw data) and percentages of responders. Statistical comparisons were made using Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate.
RESULTS: Questionnaires were mailed to 3,412 women, 1,832 completed questionnaires were received (response 53.7 %). Symptoms strongly associated with prolapse; vaginal bulge/lump and bulge or lump outside of the vagina had a prevalence of 8.4 % and 4.9 % respectively. Vaginal symptoms, previous pelvic floor surgery, and age were statistically increased in those who had had a previous vaginal delivery. There were statistically worse scores (more symptoms) for the group with any vaginal delivery with regard to "feeling a loose or lax vagina", "a vaginal lump or bulge coming down in the vagina". There was a high prevalence of worry regarding sexual function, regardless of delivery status, with no statistically significant differences found between those who had had a vaginal delivery and those who had not. The group with no vaginal deliveries described a statistically significant increase in the reported sensation of "do you feel your vagina is too tight".
CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of POP were increased in those women who had experienced a vaginal delivery, whilst the sensation of having a tight vagina was decreased in those who had had a previous vaginal birth.
Written by:
Cooper J, Annappa M, Dracocardos D, Cooper W, Muller S, Mallen C. Are you the author?
University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Newcastle Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG, UK.
Reference: Int Urogynecol J. 2014 Nov 8. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s00192-014-2556-x
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25381004