The Comparison of Sexual Function Before and After Pessary Placement in Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders

BACKGROUND Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Sexual dysfunction affects their quality of life as well as sexual intercourse. Thus, the present study aims at investigating the sexual function before and after pessary placement in women suffering from pelvic floor disorders. METHODS The design of the present study was a before-after one. The present study was conducted on 96 more than 50-year-old patients who had pelvic floor disorders and were incapable of make sexual intercourses. The patients had already been referred to Al-Zahra and Taleghani Hospitals in Tabriz between 2016 and 2018. The patients had the indication of using a pessary. According to POP-Q system, the intensity of prolapse was determined and pessary placement was conducted for them. For investigating the sexual function, the researchers applied Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire. For comparing the qualitative variables, X-2 test was used. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS-23. For describing the research units, the researchers used mean, standard deviation, and frequency distribution. In terms of the statistical significance, the p values were determined to be less than 0.05. RESULTS As many as 27 patients ( 28.1%) suffered from apex prolapse. Moreover, 5 patients (5.2%) suffered from anterior vaginal wall prolapse, 28 patients (29.2%) suffered from both apexes prolapse and anterior vaginal wall prolapse, and 36 patients (37.5%) suffered from apex prolapse and anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. In 84 patients (87.5%), the pessary was a ring, and in 12 patients (12.5), the pessary was a Gelhorn. There is a significant relationship between the type of pessary and the sexual function of patients with prolapse (p=0.006). None of the patients attempted to pull out the pessary during their sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS Using pessary has no negative effect on the sexual intercourse. Even in some cases pessary not only treats prolapse and urinary symptoms but also improves the patient's self-image; pessary can improve the sexual function. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between the type of pessary and sexual satisfaction in women suffering from pelvic floor disorders.