Body image in women before and after reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis: This study seeks to determine the impact of prolapse surgery on body image in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Methods: Case-control study of 76 sexually active women with greater than or equal to stage II prolapse planning reconstructive surgery and 67 women with lesser than or equal to stage I prolapse. Questionnaires/examinations were completed at baseline and 6 months postoperatively for cases and at baseline for controls: Body Exposure During Sexual Activity Questionnaire (BESAQ), Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI)/Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) examination. Results: Baseline and 6-month data were available for 64 case women with mean age of 60±8 years, mean body mass index of 28±5 kg/m², 96% Caucasian, and 83% postmenopausal. Baseline POPQ stage distribution was: stage II 14%, stage III 78%, and stage IV 8%. BESAQ, BIQLI, PFDI/PFIQ, and PISQ-12 postoperative scores significantly improved compared to preoperatively (all p≤0.001). Conclusions: Body image, sexual function, and pelvic floor symptoms improve after prolapse surgery.