Influence of operations for stress incontinence and/or genital descensus on sexual life

A variety of operations for stress incontinence or genital descensus are performed in gynecological department. The purpose of this study was to find out whether these operations influenced the patients' sexual life. In a prospective study of 55 women, all sexually active prior to the operation, various characteristics were evaluated by interview and gynaecological examination, immediately before and 6 months after the operation. We had adviced early resumption of sexual intercourse. Postoperatively, 13 of 55 (24%) patients experienced improvement in their sexual life, 37 of 55 (67%) no change, and 5 of 55 (9%) experienced a deterioration. Improvement often resulted from cessation of urinary incontinence. Deterioration was in all 5 cases due to dyspareunia and all 5 patients underwent a posterior colporrhaphy as part of the operation. We conclude that provided the patients are well-informed the prognosis for sexual life after these operations is good. However, colpoperineoplasty in combination with anterior colporrhaphy might cause dyspareunia in some patients.