The effect of perineorrhaphy surgery and anterior-posterior vaginal repair on body image, sexual function, and quality of life in women

Abstract

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the elements increasing the prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction which influences the lifestyles of women and their marital relationships. One of the critical desires of surgical remedies of those women, further than enhancing signs and symptoms and restoring regular anatomy, is to preserve and enhance sexual function. The effect of perineorrhaphy and anterior-posterior vaginal repair on body image, sexual function, and quality of life in postoperative women is one of the objectives of this study. Methods: The present study is a clinical trial without a control group. 119 women referred to Shahid Beheshti and Al-Zahra hospitals in Isfahan, aged 28-49 years, with rectocele and cystocele, uterine prolapse and a candidate for perineal surgery and anterior-posterior vaginal repair, entered the study from October 2020 to August 2021. Data collection tools were three questionnaires on Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) that were completed before and 6 months after surgery by interviewing individuals. All surgeries were performed by a Fellowship in pelvic floor disorder, and the type of surgery was the same in all patients. Data were analyzed using a dependent t-test. Results: Data of 119 women with rectocele, second and third-degree cystocele with maximal grade 1 apex prolapse, and candidates for perineorrhaphy and anterior-posterior vaginal repair were evaluated. The mean age of the study samples was 36.40±6.39 years and the age range was 28 to 49 years (before menopause). In the postoperative stage; perineorrhaphy and anterior-posterior vaginal repair affect body image, improvement of sexual function, and quality of life in women (P<0.001). Conclusion: It seems that perineorrhaphy and anterior-posterior vaginal repair affect the body image, Improving sexual function and quality of life, and can be effective in improving the quality and improving the relationship between couples who need this surgery. Copyright © 2022 Hajihashemy et al.