Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse POP Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Patient-Reported Impact of Pelvic Organ Prolapse on Continence and Sexual Function in Women With Exstrophy-Epispadias
Ross G Everett1, Kathy M Lue, Sunil S Reddy
1From the *The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Division of Pediatric Urology, Charlotte Bloomberg Children's Hospital; and †Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, JHBMC, Urology, Baltimore, MD.
Objective:
This study aimed to characterize long-term urogynecologic issues of women with a history of bladder exstrophy and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to assess the impact of POP repair on continence and sexual function.
Design:
Patient demographics and surgical history related to exstrophy and POP were collected through chart review. Patient perceptions regarding sexual function, urinary continence, and quality of life were assessed through Web-based administration of validated questionnaires: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and POP-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire.
Setting:
Maryland, United States.
Participants:
Review of a single-institution exstrophy-epispadias complex database resulted in 25 adult female patients with a history of POP treated at the authors' institution. Eleven patients participated and were included in the analysis.
Main Outcome Measures:
Urinary continence and sexual function.
Results:
All participants underwent surgical repair for prolapse, with 7 (63.6%) experiencing unsuccessful initial repair and subsequent recurrence. Median total number of POP repairs was 2.5 (1-4). After correction of POP, patients reported a median improvement in International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form scores of 11 (21 to -1) of 21 and in POP-Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire scores of 9.5 (6.5-33.0) of 48.0. With regard to urinary continence, 6 (54.5%) patients presently reported no incontinence, 3 (27.3%) reported mild incontinence, and 2 (18.2%) reported continuous incontinence.
Conclusions:
Pelvic organ prolapse poses significant reductions in quality of life for women born with exstrophy, with effects on urinary continence and sexual function. Identification and correction of prolapse seems to result in notable improvements in the lives of these patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...