Abstract
BackgroundSurgery for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and hysterectomy are the most common gynaecological surgeries that can affect the function of the bladder and bowel as well as one’s sexual life. There is evidence that adequate patient information given preoperatively regarding expected outcomes of surgery is important because well-informed patients are more satisfied with the results of surgery and recover faster. However, there is little known about the amount and quality of information given to women before surgery. This study investigates whether women received information before gynaecological surgery on the effect of surgery with respect to the functioning of the bladder (micturition, ability to stay continent) and the bowel (empty bowel) as well as the surgery’s effect on sexual functioning.MethodsA prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. Women undergoing hysterectomy, surgery for vaginal prolapse, or surgery for urinary incontinence (n = 972) and included in the Swedish National Register for Gynaecological Surgery participated in the study. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to the women along with the preoperative questionnaire from the register.ResultsAbout 50% of the women undergoing prolapse surgery were supplied with information regarding the effect of the surgery with respect to remaining continent, to emptying bowels, micturitaion, and sexual life. One out of four women undergoing hysterectomy received information about the effect of the surgery on the sexual life and bladder function. In the incontinence group, the given information about the surgery’s effect on bladder function and sexual function was 80 and 30%, respectively.ConclusionSurgery in the vagina and the genital organs may affect function of the organs close to the surgical area (i.e., bladder and bowel) and may affect sexual function. According to this study, women are inadequately informed before surgery. Access to information via oral and written counselling needs to be improved.
Highlights
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and hysterectomy are the most common gynaecological surgeries that can affect the function of the bladder and bowel as well as one’s sexual life
Some studies have found that hysterectomy has no effect on sexual activity and symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI), whereas a negative effect on sexuality and appearance of UI has been reported in other studies [6,7,8]
Surgery for UI has been shown to have a positive effect on sexual function [9,10,11], but its effect on bowel function is unknown
Summary
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and hysterectomy are the most common gynaecological surgeries that can affect the function of the bladder and bowel as well as one’s sexual life. This study investigates whether women received information before gynaecological surgery on the effect of surgery with respect to the functioning of the bladder (micturition, ability to stay continent) and the bowel (empty bowel) as well as the surgery’s effect on sexual functioning. Approximately 17,000 women in Sweden undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI), or hysterectomy on benign indication [1]. Women with prolapse may present with a variety of symptoms from the bladder (frequency, urgency, and urinary incontinence) and/or the bowel (problems emptying and faecal incontinence) [2]. Surgery for UI has been shown to have a positive effect on sexual function [9,10,11], but its effect on bowel function is unknown
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