SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 5

Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study

İlyas Turan(BATMAN PRİVATE ZİLAN HOSPİTAL)0000-0003-3611-9428
Aysun Karabulut(Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, IA, US)0000-0003-2854-597X
Özer Öztekin(PAMUKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ HASTANESİ)0000-0002-1686-5418
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-10-25
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Although improvement in the physical domain suggests a beneficial effect of surgery on specific aspects of sexual function, no statistically significant change in total PISQ-12 scores was detected.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function over an 18-month period.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Pelvic floor symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function were assessed using validated Turkish questionnaires (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, PISQ-12, OAB-V8) at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Although improvement in the physical domain suggests a beneficial effect of surgery on specific aspects of sexual function, no statistically significant change in total PISQ-12 scores was detected.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Pelvic organ prolapse · quality of life · sexual dysfunction

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function over an 18-month period. Methods: Fifty females scheduled for pelvic floor surgery were prospectively enrolled. Pelvic floor symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function were assessed using validated Turkish questionnaires (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, PISQ-12, OAB-V8) at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Repeated measurements were analysed using Friedman's two-way analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used where appropriate. The Friedman analysis was conducted on complete cases; a last observation carried forward (LOCF) sensitivity analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 50 females were followed at 6 months, 44 at 12 months, and 28 at 18 months. Statistically significant improvements were observed in PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores at all postoperative follow-up periods (p<0.05), indicating a marked reduction in pelvic floor-related symptom burden and improvement in quality of life. Significant postoperative improvements were observed in UDI-6, POPDI-6, UIQ-7, CRAIQ-7, and POPIQ-7 scores (p<0.05). CRADI-8 scores demonstrated significant improvement at the 12- and 18-month follow-ups. Regarding sexual function, no significant change was detected in total PISQ-12 scores; however, a significant improvement was observed in the physical domain of the PISQ-12 at 12 and 18 months postoperatively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pelvic floor surgery for POP improves pelvic floor-related symptoms and quality of life. Although improvement in the physical domain suggests a beneficial effect of surgery on specific aspects of sexual function, no statistically significant change in total PISQ-12 scores was detected.

🔖

Cite This Article

Turan, İ., Karabulut, A., Öztekin, Ö. (2026). Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, Volume: 7 Issue: 5. https://ajindex.com/articles/1668092

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (36)

  1. Jha S. Maintaining sexual function after pelvic floor surgery. Climacteric. 2019;22:236-241. doi:10.1080/13697137.2018.1551344
  2. Bicudo-Fürst MC, Borba Leite PH, Araújo Glina FP, et al. Female sexual function following surgical treatment of SUI: systematic review. Sex Med Rev. 2018;6(2):224-233. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.10.005
  3. Karabulut A, Ozkan S, Koçak N, Alan T. Evaluation of confounding factors interfering with sexual function in women with minimal POP. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2014;127(1):73-76. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.04.015
  4. Zawodnik A, Balaphas A, Buchs NC, et al. Does surgical approach in pelvic floor repair impact sexual function? Sex Med. 2019;7(4):522-529. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.08.004
  5. de Oliveira NFF, Santuzzi CH, da Conceição TV, Freitas JMV, Liberato FMG, Nascimento LR. Pelvic floor muscle training for urinary symptoms. Braz J Phys Ther. 2024;28(5):101122. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.101122
  6. Haya N, Baessler K, Christmann-Schmid C, et al. Prolapse and continence surgery in countries of the OECD in 2012. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):755.e1-755.e27. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.02.017
  7. Shatkin-Margolis A, Pauls RN. Sexual function after prolapse repair. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2017;29(5):343-348. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000403
  8. Mattsson NK, Karjalainen PK, Tolppanen AM, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse surgery and quality of life: a nationwide cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;222(6):588.e1-588.e10. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2019.11.1285
  9. Haylen BT, de Ridder D, Freeman RM, et al. IUGA/ICS joint report on terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010;29(1):4-20. doi:10.1002/nau.20798
  10. Rahkola-Soisalo P, Altman D, Falconer C, Morcos E, Rudnicki M, Mikkola TS. Quality of life after Uphold™ Vaginal Support System surgery. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2017;208:86-90. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.11.011
  11. Antosh DD, Kim-Fine S, Meriwether KV, et al. Changes in sexual activity and function after POP surgery: systematic review. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(5):922-931. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000004125
  12. Carlin GL, Morgenbesser R, Kimberger O, Umek W, Bodner K, Bodner-Adler B. Does the choice of POP treatment influence subjective pelvic-floor related QoL? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021;259:161-166. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.02.018
  13. Barber MD, Kuchibhatla MN, Pieper CF, Bump RC. Psychometric evaluation of two comprehensive condition-specific QoL instruments. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;185(6):1388-1395. doi:10.1067/mob.2001.118659
  14. Bilgic D, Gokyildiz S, Kizilkaya Beji N, Yalcin O, Gungor Ugurlucan F. Quality of life and sexual function in obese women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Women Health. 2019;59(1):101-113. doi:10.1080/03630242.2018.1492497
  15. Barber MD, Walters MD, Bump RC. Short forms of two condition-specific QoL questionnaires (PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005;193(1):103-113. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.12.025
  16. Haylen BT, Maher CF, Barber MD, et al. IUGA/ICS joint report on terminology for female POP. Int Urogynecol J. 2016;27(2):165-194. doi:10.1007/s00192-015-2932-1
  17. Kaplan PB, Sut N, Sut HK. Validation, cultural adaptation and responsiveness of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 in a Turkish population. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2012;162(2):229-233. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.03.004
  18. Rogers RG, Coates KW, Kammerer-Doak D, Khalsa S, Qualls C. A short form of the PISQ-12. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2003;14(3): 164-168. doi:10.1007/s00192-003-1063-2
  19. Cam C, Sancak P, Karahan N, Sancak A, Celik C, Karateke A. Validation of the short form of the PISQ-12 in a Turkish population. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009;146(1):104-107. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.05.016
  20. Bilgic Celik D, Beji NK, Yalcin O. Turkish adaptation of the PISQ-12. Neurourol Urodyn. 2013;32(8):1068-1073. doi:10.1002/nau.22369
  21. Coyne K, Revicki D, Hunt T, et al. Psychometric validation of an OAB symptom and HRQoL questionnaire: the OAB-q. Qual Life Res. 2002; 11(6):563-574. doi:10.1023/A:1016370925601
  22. Tarcan T, Mangır N, Özgür MÖ, Akbal C. OAB-V8 overactive bladder questionnaire validation study. Uroloji Bülteni. 2012;21(21):113-116.
  23. Jelovsek JE, Gantz MG, Lukacz ES, et al. Subgroups of failure after surgery for POP and associations with QoL outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;225(5):504.e1-504.e22. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.06.068
  24. Quaghebeur J, Wyndaele JJ, Petros P. A critical examination of ligamentous pathogenesis of bladder pain/LUTS using the UEDA criteria. Int Neurourol J. 2024;28(2):96-105.
  25. Wenk MJ, Bush M, Swash M, Liedl B, Witczak M. Underactive bladder, Fowler’s syndrome are potentially curable by uterosacral ligament repair. Ann Transl Med. 2024;12(2):34. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1775
  26. Petros PEP. Chronic pelvic pain of unknown origin: considerations on uterosacral ligament pathogenesis and cure. BJOG. 2026;133(9):1818-1819. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.18167
  27. Petros PE, Ulmsten UI. An integral theory of female urinary incontinence. Experimental and clinical considerations. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Suppl. 1990;153:7-31. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0412.1990.tb08027.x
  28. Liedl B, Goeschen K, Sutherland SE, Roovers JP, Yassouridis A. Can surgical reconstruction of vaginal and ligamentous laxity cure OAB symptoms? BJU Int. 2019;123(3):493-510. doi:10.1111/bju.14444
  29. Himmler M, Rakhimbayeva A, Sutherland SE, Roovers JP, Yassouridis A, Liedl B. The impact of sacrospinous ligament fixation on pre-existing nocturia. Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(4):919-928. doi:10.1007/s00192-020-04482-3
  30. Wihersaari OAE, Karjalainen P, Tolppanen AM, Mattsson N, Nieminen K, Jalkanen J. Quality of sexual life before and after POP surgery. Urogynecology (Phila). 2024;30(10):838-846. doi:10.1097/SPV.0000000000001568
  31. Rodrigues Â, Rodrigues C, Negrão L, Afreixo V, Castro MG. Female sexual function and QoL after pelvic floor surgery. Int Urogynecol J. 2021;32(5):1273-1283. doi:10.1007/s00192-021-04678-1
  32. Gold DM, Swash M, Farag A, Ding S, Santoro G, Dodi G. A brief physiology and pathophysiology of the anorectum based on the Integral Theory paradigm. Ann Transl Med. 2024;12(2):25. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1883
  33. Himmler M, Göttl K, Witczak M, Yassouridis A, Gold DM, Liedl B. The impact of transvaginal, mesh-augmented level one apical repair on anorectal dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J. 2022;33(11):3261-3273. doi:10.1007/s00192-022-05151-3
  34. Schmidbauer L, Liedl B, Goeschen K, Antoniewicz A, Kurtzman J, Wenk MJ. Co-existence of pelvic pain, bladder-, and Bowel symptoms in women with POP. Int Urogynecol J. 2026;37(3):691-698. doi:10.1007/s00192-025-06348-y
  35. Antosh DD, Dieter AA, Balk EM, et al. Sexual function after POP surgery: systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;225(5):475.e1-475.e19. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.05.042
  36. Goldstein I. Current management strategies of the postmenopausal patient with sexual health problems. J Sex Med. 2007;4(Suppl 3):235-253. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00450.x