Investigation of the relationship between sexual and pelvic floor dysfunction in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between pelvic floor functions and sexual functions in women with fibromyalgia. The study included 204 women with fibromyalgia, mean aged 43.43 ± 8.61 years. All patients who met the inclusion criteria and applied to the rheumatology outpatient clinic were included in the study. The study was conducted between September 2020 and June 2022. The Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual function, Pelvic Floor Distress Scale-20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Function Assessment (PSIQ-12) were used to evaluate pelvic floor problems. The relationship between sexual dysfunction and other parameters was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. There was a weak negative correlation between many sub-parameters of FSFI and scores of PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, PSIQ-12 (r:-0.165--0.377 p: 0.02-0.00). According to the results of this study, sexual dysfunction was negatively affected by pelvic floor dysfunction and symptoms related to bladder, bowel, and pelvic organs in women with fibromyalgia. These results may suggest that sexual function and pelvic floor problems in women with fibromyalgia should be considered together and an approach should be planned for such problems in treatment programs.

The effect of reconstructive vaginal surgery on quality of life and sexual functions in postmenopausal women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse in intermediate-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To compare sexual function and quality of life in women who underwent McCall culdoplasty versus sacrospinous ligament fixation for pelvic organ prolapse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted in our urogyanecology clinic between July 2015 and June 2019. We included sexually active postmenopausal women who had undergone either McCall culdoplasty (n:80 patients) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (n:38 patients) procedure for threatened POP. Patients in both groups were matched according to age and body mass index. Sexual function between both groups was evaluated with the pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual function 12 patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and quality of life with the prolapse quality of life (PQOL) PROMs.

RESULTS

Emotional domain was low in the McCall culdoplasty group (21.4 ± 10.1 vs. 30.8 ± 15.2; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in other P-QOL domains. Pain during intercourse was more in the sacrospinous ligament fixation group (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1; p = 0.04). The mean operation time in the McCall culdoplasty group was shorter than the sacrospinous ligament fixation group (p = 0.03). There was no difference between the two surgical procedures performed in terms of intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay. The prevalence of recurrence in the McCall culdoplasty group was 6.2%, and that of sacrospinous ligament fixation was 5% (p = 0.75) in one year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that McCall culdoplasty has a more positive effect on QOL and sexuality than sacrospinous ligament fixation in appropriately selected patients. McCall culdoplasty could be considered as a good option in the treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse in elderly patients.

Pelvic floor muscle function and symptoms of dysfunctions in midwifes and nurses of reproductive age with and without pelvic floor dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) functions in midwifes and nurses of reproductive age with and without pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and investigate the relationship between PFM function and the number, type and symptoms of PFDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

82 midwifes and nurses of reproductive age with (n = 51) and without PFD (n = 31) participated in the study. PFM function was assessed by digital palpation using PERFECT scale. Gynecological examination, ultrasonography, disease-specific questionnaires, questions and tests were used to assess symptoms of PFD. PFD was assessed in terms of risk factors, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), pelvic pain and sexual dysfunctions.

RESULTS

Power parameter of PERFECT scheme was significantly lower in subjects with PFD compared to Non-PFD group (p = 0.002). 41% of the subjects with Power 5 PFM strength in PFD group were diagnosed as stage 1 POP, 5.8% as stage 2 POP, 15.7% of urge incontinence, 23.3% of stress incontinence and 10.5% of mixed incontinence. Both urinary incontinence and POP were detected in 15.7% of them. Among all subjects, incontinence symptoms decreased whereas POP and sexual function did not change as PFM increased. PFM strength was negatively correlated with the number of PFD (p = 0.002, r = -0.34). The type of dysfunction did not correlate with PFM strength (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PFM strength only affects of urinary incontinence sypmtoms among all PFDs in midwifes and nurses of reproductive age. PFM strength may not be the main factor in the occurrence of PFDs as pelvic floor does not consist solely of muscle structure. However, it strongly affects the number of dysfunctions. Therefore, PFM training should be performed to prevent the occurrence of extra dysfunctions in addition to the existing ones even if it does not alter the symptoms.

Modified Extraperitoneal Uterosacral Ligament Suspension in Preventing Cuff Prolapse Risk after Vaginal Hysterectomy; 4 Clamp Method

Objectives: The extraperitoneal uterosacral ligament suspension (ULS) can be performed during the removal of the uterus in vaginal hysterectomy to prevent cuff prolapse. In this study, we evaluated the modified extraperitoneal ULS technique in terms of preventing cuff prolapse. Methods/Technique: Forty patients with second and third-stage uterine prolapse who were operated were included in the study. During routine vaginal hysterectomy procedure performed on patients, after sacrouterine ligaments which are the first-bites and uteroovarian and round ligaments which are the last-bites have been sutured and knotted, these ligaments were marked with 4-distinct clamps to make the right and left, upper and lower separation. After vaginal cuff was closed the sutures hanged by the clamps were ligated together, and the cuff tissue was stretched to the apical line. Results: According to the POP-Q classification, 22 patients with stage-2 and 18 patients with stage-3 prolapse were operated. During the 2-year follow-up; 4 patients could not be reached and were excluded from follow-up. Five of the remaining 36 patients (13.8%) found to have stage-1 cuff prolapse and 31 (86.1%) of patients had no prolapse. There was no significant decrease in postoperative vaginal length (p [Formula: see text] 0.05). The PISQ-12 sexual function scores was found similar before and after surgery (p [Formula: see text] 0.05). Conclusions: The extraperitoneal ULS is a successful method to prevent cuff prolapse after hysterectomy. Although there are various modified forms of this method, the modified ULS, which we have described as the 4-clamp method, seems to be successful in terms of initial results.

Quality of life and sexual functıon in obese women with pelvic floor dysfunction

This prospective study was conducted in the urogynecology and gynecology outpatient clinics of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine from December 2014 to March 2015. The objective was to identify the association between obesity and sexual function and quality of life in women with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). A total of 387 sexually active women diagnosed with urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse were included and categorized as obese (n = 200) or nonobese (n = 187). Mean body mass indexes were 25.7 ± 2.41 kg/m² for nonobese women and 34.9 ± 3.92 kg/m² for obese women. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 total score was significantly lower in obese (27.66 ± 7.12) than in nonobese women (30.18 ± 6.54) (p < .05). Quality of life mean scores were higher in obese women for both the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire total score (67.24 ± 26.8 versus 49.12 ± 27.5) and Urogenital Distress Inventory total score (65.02 ± 21.4 versus 55.07 ± 24.7) (p < .001). Obese women with PFD had symptoms for longer durations, had more frequent urinary incontinence, and worse sexual function and quality of life than nonobese women. Health-care professionals caring for obese women should be aware of the coexistence of obesity and PFD. Future studies should evaluate whether obesity-associated PFD can be reduced through successful weight reduction interventions.

The effect of pelvic organ prolapse type on sexual function, muscle strength, and pelvic floor symptoms in women: A retrospective study

Objective:

This retrospective research was planned to investigate the effect of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) type on sexual function, muscle strength, and pelvic floor symptoms in symptomatic women.

Materials and Methods:

Data on POP type and stages as assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification system of 721 women who presented to the women’s health unit between 2009 and 2016 were collected retrospectively. POP types were recorded as asymptomatic, anterior, apical, and posterior compartment prolapses. Sexual function was assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short-form (PISQ-12), pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed through vaginal pressure measurement, and pelvic floor symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20).

Results:

Among 168 women who met the inclusion criteria, 96 had anterior compartment prolapses, 20 had apical compartment prolapses, 16 had posterior compartment prolapses, and 36 women were asymptomatic. There was no difference between the groups in their PISQ-12 total and subscales scores, PFDI-20 total and two subscale (colorectal/anal, urinary) scores, and muscle strength (p>0.05). In the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6, another subscale of PFDI-20, it was determined that there was a difference between asymptomatic women and those with anterior compartment prolapses (p=0.044) and apical compartment prolapses (p=0.011).

Conclusion:

This research found that POP type did not affect sexual function, muscle strength, and colorectal and urinary symptoms in our cohort. There were more prolapse symptoms and complaints in women with anterior and apical compartment prolapses.

Validation of the short forms of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) in Finnish

Background

Although several validated generic health-related quality of life instruments exist, disease-specific instruments are important as they are often more sensitive to changes in symptom severity. It is essential to validate the instruments in a new population and language before their use. The objective of the study was to translate into Finnish the short forms of three condition-specific questionnaires (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 and PISQ-12) and to evaluate their psychometric properties in Finnish women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

A multistep translation method was used followed by an evaluation of validity and reliability in prolapse patients. Convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency and reliability via test-retest were calculated.

Results

Sixty-three patients waiting for prolapse surgery filled the three questionnaires within two weeks. Response rate for each item was high in PFDI-20 and PISQ-12 (99.8 and 98.9% respectively). For PFIQ-7 response rate was only 60%. In PFIQ-7, six respondents (9.5%) reached the minimum value of zero showing floor effect. None of the instruments had ceiling effect. Based on the item-total correlations both PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 had acceptable convergent validity, while the convergent validity of PISQ-12 was lower, r = 0.138–0.711. However, in this instrument only three questions (questions 6, 10 and 11) had r < 0.3 while others had r ≥ 0.380. In the test-retest analysis all the three instruments showed good reliability (ICC 0.75–0.92). Similarly, the internal consistency of the instruments, measured by Cronbach’s α, was good (range 0.69–0.96) indicating high homogeneity.

Conclusions

Finnish validated translation of the PFDI-20 and PISQ-12 have acceptable psychometric properties and can be used for both research purposes and clinical evaluation of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. The Finnish version of PFIQ-7 displayed low response rate and some evidence of a floor effect, and thus its use is not recommended in its current form.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-017-0648-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sexual functioning before and after vaginal hysterectomy to treat pelvic organ prolapse and the effects of vaginal cuff closure techniques: a prospective randomised study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate sexual function in women before and after vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and to compare the effects of horizontal and vertical vaginal cuff closure on sexual function.

STUDY DESIGN

Women with uterine prolapse of stage 2 or higher were included to this prospective, randomized study. All patients underwent VH with McCall Culdoplasty and patients were randomized into two groups in terms of the vaginal cuff closure technique employed which is either vertically (group 1, right to left) or horizontally (group 2, anterior to posterior). Pelvic Organ Prolapse Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 Short Form was used to assess sexual function before and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 78 women participated, 37 in group 1 and 41 in group 2. Significant improvements in were thus evident in both groups 1 (p=0.000) and 2 (p=0.000) after surgery; no significant between-group differences were evident. Overall, 61 women (78,2%) had improved PISQ-12 scores postoperatively, 11 (14,1%) scored the same pre- and post-operatively, and 6 (7,9%) scored lower postoperatively. Women who reported poorer sexual function postoperatively, or no improvement, had new-onset or worsening dyspareunia and/or incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Most women with uterine prolapse of stage 2 or higher who underwent VH with prolapse repair experienced improved sexual lives postoperatively, regardless of the cuff closure technique used. Although VH to treat POP improves anatomical and sexual concerns, surgery per se may have negative effects on sexual function if new-onset or worsening dyspareunia or incontinence develop.

McCall Culdoplasty vs. Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation after vaginal hysterectomy: comparison of postoperative vaginal length and sexual function in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

To compare preoperative and postoperative vaginal length in sexually active postmenopausal women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy with McCall Culdoplasty or Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation and investigate whether these findings are correlated with sexual function.

STUDY DESIGN

Fifty-eight sexually active postmenopausal women planned to undergo vaginal hysterectomy during the reconstructive surgical treatment of stage 2 or 3 uterine prolapse were included. They were classified into two groups according to their self-selections. Twenty-nine women underwent McCall Culdoplasty adjunct to hysterectomy while 29 women had Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation with hysterectomy. Vaginal length was measured before and after vaginal surgery at 6-week and 6-month follow-up. Sexual function were assessed by Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire-12 form, preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

It was found that McCall Culdoplasty and Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation adjunct to vaginal hysterectomy shortened vaginal length significantly. And, the decrease in vaginal length was greater in McCall Culdoplasty group compared to Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation group. However, preoperative and postoperative sexual function questionnaire scores were not correlated with vaginal lengths.

CONCLUSION

McCall Culdoplasty or Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation adjunct to vaginal hysterectomy shortens vaginal length postoperatively. However these changes do not affect sexual function in postmenopausal women.

The Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12): validation of the Dutch version

Objectives and hypothesis

To establish the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) in women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Methods

The PISQ-12 was translated into Dutch following a standardized translation process. A group of 124 women involved in a heterosexual relationship who had had symptoms of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse for at least 3 months were eligible for inclusion. A reference group was used for assessment of discriminative ability. Data were analyzed for internal consistency, reproducibility, construct validity, responsiveness, and interpretability. An alteration was made to item 12 and was corrected for during the analysis.

Results

The patient group comprised 70 of the 124 eligible women, and the reference group comprised 208 women from a panel representative of the Dutch female population. The Dutch PISQ-12 showed an adequate internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.57 – 0.69, increasing with correction for item 12 to 0.69 – 0.75, for the reference and patient group, respectively. Scores in the patient group were lower (32.6 ± 6.9) than in the reference group (36.3 ± 4.8; p = 0.0001), indicating a lower sexual function in the patient group and good discriminative ability. Reproducibility was excellent with an intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement of 0.93 (0.88 – 0.96). A positive correlation was found with the Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) measure representing good criterion validity. Due to the small number of patients who had received treatment at the 6-month follow-up, no significant responsiveness could be established.

Conclusions

This study showed that the Dutch version of the PISQ-12 has good validity and reliability. The PISQ-12 will enable Dutch physicians to evaluate sexual dysfunction in women with pelvic floor disorders.