Sexualidade em mulheres com prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP)

Abstract

Pelvic organs prolapse (POP) modifies pelvis’s structures anatomy, causing different symptoms and functional repercussions in the vaginal compartment. The most reported symptoms are urinary and fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunctions, significantly affecting biopsychosocial well-being. Thus, the present study evaluated the impact of POP on the sexuality of sexually active women. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical case-control study (CAAE: 67994123.0.0000.5336) that evaluated 34 women affected by POP (study group) and 42 women without the dysfunction (control group), assisted by the Urogynecology Clinic of Hospital São Lucas at PUCRS. Sociodemographic data (age, marital status, education, work activity, and religion) and clinical aspects (clinical examination, gynecological and sexual history) were analyzed through the Chi square test. Sexuality was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). FSFI and PISQ-12 means scores were compared using the unpaired T test. There was no significant association between demographic data and the occurrence of POP. Most POP cases were found in the anterior compartment (61.76%), followed by the posterior (23.5%) and the apical compartment (14.7%). The prevalence of self-reported depression (23.52%) and regular alcohol use (14.70%) was significantly higher in the POP group when compared to the control group (p=0.032 and 0.015, respectively). Women with POP exhibited lower scores across the FSFI domains, although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.288). The “desire” domain was notably lower in women with POP, approaching statistical significance (p=0.076). PISQ-12 results revealed greater sexual satisfaction in women without POP (p=0.012). Results of this study demonstrated that sexual function of sexually active women with POP is worsened, reinforcing its impact on sexual function and in quality of life. It is suggested that sexually active women with POP may improve their sexual function after treating the condition.