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. 2012 Sep;31(7):1145-8.
doi: 10.1002/nau.22205. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

The relationship between pelvic organ prolapse, genital body image, and sexual health

Ruth Zielinski  1 , Janis Miller, Lisa Kane Low, Carolyn Sampselle, John O L DeLancey
Affiliations

The relationship between pelvic organ prolapse, genital body image, and sexual health

Ruth Zielinski et al. Neurourol Urodyn. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Aims: Pelvic organ prolapse involves physical changes to the genitals, potentially distressing to women. We hypothesized poorer genital body image in prolapsed women versus controls and that genital body image would correlate with sexual health.

Methods: Seventy-four sexually active women, 13 with prolapse, 24 with surgically corrected prolapse, 37 without prolapse, completed the Genital Self Image Scale (GSIS-20), Body Esteem Scale (BES), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results: In prolapsed women median GSIS-20 scores were 28/40, women with surgically corrected prolapse 32/40 and never prolapsed 34/40 (χ(2) = 9.6, P < 0.01). Post hoc analysis showed significant differences between prolapsed and never prolapsed groups (P < 0.05). After adjusting for BES, GSIS-20 correlated with overall FSFI (r = 0.384, P < 0.01), and its subscales of desire (r = 0.34, P < 0.05) and satisfaction (r = 0.41, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Women with prolapse are at risk for poorer genital body image and reduced sexual health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial Disclaimers/Conflict of Interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of participants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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