Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women

Pelvic organ prolapse (pop) is a chronic disorder, often asymptomatic. There are several factors involved in the aetio-pathogenesis of POP. Perimenopausal women bear most of the burden of pop. Vaginal delivery is an established risk factor and clinical presentation may take years when women are symptomatic in menopausal age.

A cross-sectional study was done for one year in a rural teaching hospital, where 150 pop women were included. Variables associated with both asymptomatic & symptomatic pop were analyzed. The mean, proportion, & simple logistic regression were used to analyze the data and p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

The prevalence of pop was 4.8%. Associated socio-economic & obstetrical variables were age group of 41-50 years (82.7%), housewives (84%), multiparty (93.33%), lower economic conditions (86.7%), home deliveries (74.71%), and early resumption of work after delivery (61.3%). Bulging in the vagina (p < 0.001), & difficulties in micturition (p = 0.001) were significant symptoms. Among asymptomatic & symptomatic pop, difference in BMI (p = 0.042), education level (p = 0.001), menstrual history (p = 0.001) & place of delivery (p = 0.037) were significant. Different stages of pop were significantly associated with differences in age groups (p < 0.001), menstrual history (p < 0.001) & place of delivery (p = 0.039). Differences in the proportion of constipation were significant with anterior compartment defects (p < 0.001), whereas the association of chronic lung diseases was found significant (p = 0.028) in the case of apical compartment prolapse. Simple logistic regression of co-variants shows age can predict the severity of pop stages (OR 7.25; 95% CI 1.95-26.99).

All stages of pop were present mostly in the age group of 41-50 years rather than in the over 50 years age group. Menopause is associated with the severity of prolapse and is mostly symptomatic. Age can predict the severity of pop.