Prevalence of urinary, prolapse, and bowel symptoms in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome

Müllerian agenesis, or Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, occurs in 1 in 4500 to 5000 individuals assigned female sex at birth. Pelvic floor symptoms among individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome have not been well studied, and it is unknown how vaginal lengthening treatments affect these symptoms.

This study aimed to assess urinary, prolapse, and bowel symptoms in individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and to determine whether symptoms vary by vaginal lengthening treatment.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2019 using an online survey distributed by the Beautiful You MRKH Foundation via social media to individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. Demographics, age at and timing of diagnosis, information about vaginal lengthening treatment, urinary symptoms (Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index), prolapse symptoms (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory short-form version), and bowel symptoms (Bristol Stool Form Scale) were obtained. The inclusion criteria included self-reported diagnosis of müllerian agenesis and female sex. Respondents with a history of renal transplant or dialysis, completion of <85% of the survey, and non-English survey responses were excluded. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the sample population. Logistic regression, Kruskal-Wallis, and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms and vaginal lengthening treatments. Associations between age and genitourinary symptoms were investigated with Spearman correlations.

Of 808 respondents, 615 met the inclusion criteria, representing 40 countries. 81% of respondents identified as white. The median age of the participants was 29 years (interquartile range, 24-36), with a median age at diagnosis of 16 years (interquartile range, 15-17). Among the 614 respondents, 331 (54%) had vaginal lengthening treatment, 130 of whom (39%) had undergone surgical vaginal lengthening. Of individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, 428 of 614 (70%) reported having had one or more urinary symptoms, and 339 of 428 (79%) reported being bothered by these symptoms. Urinary symptoms included urinary incontinence (210 of 614 [34%]), urinary frequency (245 of 614 [40%]), urinary urgency (248 of 614 [40%]), pain with urination (97 of 614 [16%]), and recurrent urinary tract infections (177 of 614 [29%]). Prolapse symptoms included lower abdominal pressure (248 of 612 [41%]), pelvic heaviness or dullness (177 of 610 [29%]), and vaginal bulge (68 of 609 [11%]). In addition, constipation was reported by 153 of 611 respondents (25%), and anal incontinence was reported by 153 of 608 (25%) respondents. Beside recent urinary incontinence (P=.003) and anal incontinence (P<.001), the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms (P>.05) did not differ significantly between those with and without vaginal lengthening. Among those with surgical vaginal lengthening, symptomatic vaginal bulge was highest in individuals who underwent a bowel vaginoplasty procedure.

Urinary, prolapse, and bowel symptoms are common among individuals with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and should be evaluated in this population. Overall, compared with no vaginal lengthening treatment, having vaginal lengthening treatment is not associated with substantial differences in the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms, with the exception of recent urinary incontinence and anal incontinence. Our data suggested that bowel vaginoplasty may be associated with greater symptoms of vaginal bulge. More robust studies are needed to determine the impact of various vaginal lengthening treatments on pelvic floor symptoms.