Female sexuality before and after sacrocolpopexy or vaginal mesh: is vaginal length one of the key factors?

Introduction and hypothesis We aimed to demonstrate that laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy/cervicopexy (LSC-Cx) versus anterior vaginal mesh (AVM) results in a longer vaginal length without impacting sexual activity or function. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of sexual outcomes of a previous randomized control trial comparing LSC-Cx and AVM in 120 women (60/group) with symptomatic POP stage >= 3. We evaluated sexually active (SA) and non-sexually active women (NSA) using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR) preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were built to assess the impact of different variables on sexual activity and function, respectively. Results Among 120 women included, no statistically significant differences were found between vaginal length and preoperative dyspareunia (20.7% AVM vs. 22,8% LSC-Cx) comparing SA to NSA women and LSC-Cx to AVM. Vaginal length was significantly longer after LSC-Cx versus AVM (p < 0.001). The postoperative dyspareunia rate was 17.2% AVM versus 10.5% LSC-Cx. Partnered women were significantly more likely to be SA than unpartnered women before (OR = 19.04; p = 0.006) and after surgery (OR = 36.28; p = 0.002). Only dyspareunia was independently associated with sexual function pre- (B = -0.431; p = 0.017) and postoperatively (B = -0.3 96; p = 0.007). Conclusions Vaginal length was greater following LSC-Cx compared to AVM. While vaginal length has no impact on female sexuality pre- and postoperatively, the most important factors were having a partner for sexual activity and dyspareunia for sexual function. Persistence of dyspareunia was higher after AVM. LSC-Cx should be considered in women with POP undergoing mesh surgery with future sexual expectations.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated that LSC-Cx resulted in longer vaginal length compared to AVM, with higher rates of persistent dyspareunia after AVM. Having a partner for sexual activity and experiencing dyspareunia were found to have a greater impact on female sexual function than vaginal length pre- and postoperatively.