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. 2005 Jul;193(1):53-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.12.004.

Pelvic organ descent and symptoms of pelvic floor disorders

Chiara Ghetti  1 , W Thomas Gregory, S Renee Edwards, Lesley N Otto, Amanda L Clark
Affiliations

Pelvic organ descent and symptoms of pelvic floor disorders

Chiara Ghetti et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the relationship between symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, and measurement of pelvic organ prolapse.

Study design: This retrospective cross-sectional study assessed prolapse in 905 women in an academic urogynecologic practice using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification exam. Symptoms were assessed with a Likert symptom questionnaire and the Urogenital Distress Inventory. Relationships between symptoms and prolapse were analyzed using Spearman's correlation.

Results: Symptoms of "bulging" correlated moderately to the greatest extent of prolapse (r=0.4, P<.001). Frequency of bother progressively increases when the leading edge descends from -3 and 0. Between +1 and +5, 90% of women report bother. Symptoms typically attributed to anterior or posterior wall prolapse did not correlate with descent of the respective compartment.

Conclusion: "Bulging" is the principle symptom that correlates with prolapse severity. We found no discrete anatomic position that discriminates between prolapse as a disease state and normal anatomic variation.

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