INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a significant health issue that negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL) and sexual well-being of
numerous women. Common symptoms include a sensation of pelvic pressure, dysfunction of the bladder and bowel, and sexual issues.
Surgical intervention is a frequently utilized treatment for POP, with vaginal hysterectomy combined with bilateral sacrospinous
ligament fixation (BSSLF) being one of the most widely performed procedures. Although the overall effects of POP on quality of life and
sexual health have been explored, there is limited research specifically addressing the outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy with BSSLF.
OBJECTIVES/AIMS
This study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and sexual health in women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse
(POP) and treated with vaginal hysterectomy combined with bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation (BSSLF).
METHODS
This prospective observational study was conducted in our department between January 2021 and December 2023.
Our results show that bilateral SSLF leads to significant improvements in both quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in patients with POP. These improvements may be explained
by the resolution of prolapse-related discomfort, which often leads to sexual avoidance, and by the physical recovery achieved after surgery.
The average age of the participants was 54.0 ± 6.0 years, with a mean BMI of 27.3 ± 2.6 kg/m². Nineteen patients (73.1%) were postmenopausal. Significant
improvements in POP-Q measurements were observed between the preoperative and 6-month postoperative evaluations. Patients reported notable
enhancements in quality of life (QoL) across various domains, including physical functioning, pain, overall physical health, general health perception, vitality,
social