Female sexuality before and after sacrocolpopexy or vaginal mesh: is vaginal length one of the key factors?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to demonstrate that laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy/cervicopexy (LSC-Cx) versus anterior vaginal mesh (AVM) results in a longer vaginal length without impacting sexual activity or function. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of sexual outcomes of a previous randomized control trial comparing LSC-Cx and AVM in 120 women (60/group) with symptomatic POP stage ≥ 3. We evaluated sexually active (SA) and non-sexually active women (NSA) using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR) preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were built to assess the impact of different variables on sexual activity and function, respectively. RESULTS: Among 120 women included, no statistically significant differences were found between vaginal length and preoperative dyspareunia (20.7% AVM vs. 22,8% LSC-Cx) comparing SA to NSA women and LSC-Cx to AVM. Vaginal length was significantly longer after LSC-Cx versus AVM (p < 0.001). The postoperative dyspareunia rate was 17.2% AVM versus 10.5% LSC-Cx. Partnered women were significantly more likely to be SA than unpartnered women before (OR = 19.04; p = 0.006) and after surgery (OR = 36.28; p = 0.002). Only dyspareunia was independently associated with sexual function pre- (B = -0.431; p = 0.017) and postoperatively (B = -0.3 96; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal length was greater following LSC-Cx compared to AVM. While vaginal length has no impact on female sexuality pre- and postoperatively, the most important factors were "having a partner" for sexual activity and dyspareunia for sexual function. Persistence of dyspareunia was higher after AVM. LSC-Cx should be considered in women with POP undergoing mesh surgery with future sexual expectations.

Sexual activity and function in women with advanced stages of pelvic organ prolapse, before and after laparoscopic or vaginal mesh surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The differential impact of specific pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery on sexual activity and function is unknown. Our primary aim was to analyse sexual inactivity and function in women with symptomatic advanced stages of POP and the changes incurred after laparoscopic or vaginal mesh surgery. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of sexual outcomes of a previously published randomised controlled trial comparing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy/cervicopexy (LSC-Cx) and anterior vaginal mesh (AVM) in 120 women (60/group) with symptomatic anterior POP stage ≥ 3 and apical ≥ 2. Sexual activity and function were assessed preoperatively and 1 and 2 years postoperatively using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR). RESULTS: Sexual activity was recovered in 42.9% of non-sexually active (NSA) women 1 year postoperatively, mainly in women with higher preoperative POP-related subscale scores of the PISQ-IR, which indicated a negative preoperative sexuality by POP. Recovery of sexual activity was greater after LSC-Cx, albeit not significantly (2 years: 35.5% AVM vs. 45% LSC-Cx). Among sexually active (SA) women preoperatively remaining SA postoperatively, the difference in the mean PISQ-IR summary score significantly improved [mean baseline difference - 2 years; all: 0.3 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.5) p = 0.001; AVM 0.19 (95% CI -0.1 to -0.5) p > 0.05; LSC-Cx 0.37 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7) p = 0.003]. Preoperative dyspareunia was significantly reduced after LSC-Cx (baseline: 24.6%, 2 years: 9.8%, p = 0.0448), but not after AVM (baseline: 20.7%, 2 years: 18.2%, p = 0.7385). CONCLUSIONS: Most women reported improved sexual activity and function 2 years after LSC-Cx or AVM, mainly because of enhanced POP-related subscales in both NSA and SA women. Recovery of sexual activity and improved sexual function were greater after LSC-Cx compared to AVM, likely related to less postoperative dyspareunia.

Coital resumption after delivery among OASIS patients: differences between instrumental and spontaneous delivery.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are associated with sexual dysfunction and a lower likelihood of sexual activity in the postpartum period. The aim of the present study was to compare coital resumption and the variables influencing this activity after delivery in women with and without a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) and according to the mode of delivery. METHODS: A prospective, observational, case-control study was performed at 6 months postpartum in 318 women: 140 with a history of primary repaired OASIS and 178 women without OASIS. Demographic and obstetric data, breastfeeding, and symptoms of urinary and anal incontinence were collected. Patients were asked about coital resumption and completed the validated specific Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12). Continuous and non-continuous variables were compared using ANOVA and the Fisher exact tests, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model and a multiple regression analysis were constructed to assess the impact of demographic and clinical variables on the percentage of coital resumption and on the PISQ-12 score, respectively. RESULTS: After a spontaneous delivery (SD), patients without OASIS showed a higher percentage of coital resumption than those with OASIS (98% vs. 77%; p = 0.003), and the PISQ-12 score was also higher (p < 0.001). PISQ-12 score was better in women with SD compared to those with operative vaginal delivery (OVD)(p < 0.001), independently of the history of OASIS. Current breastfeeding, a higher Wexner score and OVD negatively influenced the PISQ-12 score. CONCLUSIONS: After SD, women with OASIS resumed coital activity later than women without OASIS. Women with OVD resumed coital activity later, and had a lower PISQ-12 score than women with SD.