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Quality of life in postmenopausal women with genital prolapse who use pessaries
Quality of life in postmenopausal women with genital prolapse who use pessaries
Franklin J. Espitia-de la Hoz 
Departamento de Uroginecología y Cirugía Reconstructiva del Piso Pélvico, Urologyn Care – Eje Cafetero; Departamento de Sexología Clínica, Hathor, Clínica Sexológica. Armenia, Pereira, Colombia
*Correspondence: Franklin J. Espitia-de la Hoz. Email: espitiafe@yahoo.es
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the quality of life and sexual health in postmenopausal women with grade II or greater genital prolapse who are pessary users.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Women diagnosed with menopause (≥ 12 months of amenorrhea) who attended a consultation for genital prolapse and were treated with a pessary were included. Two instruments were used: the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Both questionnaires were completed before pessary insertion and after 6 months of use.
Results: A total of 162 women participated, with a mean age of 53.79 ± 4.32 years. The mean age at menopause was 49.87 ± 4.65 years. 38.88% (n = 63) had grade II prolapse, 48.14% (n = 78) grade III, and 12.96% (n = 21) grade IV. The mean overall MRS score before pessary use was 25.04 ± 15.08 points, and 12.48 ± 8.01 after 6 months of use. The mean total IFSF score was 22.68 ± 7.77 and 25.14 ± 8.31 points before and after pessary use, respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 85.18% and 40.12%, before and after pessary use, respectively.
Conclusions: Pessary use in postmenopausal women with genital prolapse is an effective therapy, improving quality of life and reducing the incidence of sexual dysfunction. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials are needed.
Keywords: Quality of life. Sexual health. Postmenopause. Pelvic organ prolapse. Pessaries.
