Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 4/2011

01-04-2011 | Original Article

Short-term natural history in women with symptoms indicative of pelvic organ prolapse

Authors: Ann Miedel, Marion Ek, Gunilla Tegerstedt, Marianne Mæhle-Schmidt, Olof Nyrén, Margareta Hammarström

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 4/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Information about the natural history of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is scarce.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of 160 women (mean age 56 years), whose answers in a population-based survey investigation indicated presence of symptomatic prolapse (siPOP), and 120 women without siPOP (mean age 51 years).

Results

Follow-up questionnaire was completed by 87%, and 67% underwent re-examination according to pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system after 5 years. Among re-examining siPOP women, 47% had an unchanged POP-Q stage, 40% showed regression, and 13% showed progression. The key symptom “feeling of a vaginal bulge” remained unchanged in 30% of women with siPOP, 64% improved by at least one step on our four-step rating scale, and 6% deteriorated. Among control women, siPOP developed in 2%. No statistically significant relationship emerged between changes in anatomic status and changes in investigated symptoms.

Conclusion

Only a small proportion of women with symptomatic POP get worse within 5 years.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Subak LL, Waetjen LE, van den Eeden S, Thom DH, Vittinghoff E, Brown JS (2001) Cost of pelvic organ prolapse surgery in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 98:646–651PubMedCrossRef Subak LL, Waetjen LE, van den Eeden S, Thom DH, Vittinghoff E, Brown JS (2001) Cost of pelvic organ prolapse surgery in the United States. Obstet Gynecol 98:646–651PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Swift SE (2000) The distribution of pelvic organ support in a population of female subjects seen for routine gynecologic health care. Am J Obstet Gynecol 183:277–285PubMedCrossRef Swift SE (2000) The distribution of pelvic organ support in a population of female subjects seen for routine gynecologic health care. Am J Obstet Gynecol 183:277–285PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Samuelsson EC, Victor FT, Tibblin G, Svardsudd KF (1999) Signs of genital prolapse in a Swedish population of women 20 to 59 years of age and possible related factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 180:299–305PubMedCrossRef Samuelsson EC, Victor FT, Tibblin G, Svardsudd KF (1999) Signs of genital prolapse in a Swedish population of women 20 to 59 years of age and possible related factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 180:299–305PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Bland DR, Earle BB, Vitolins MZ, Burke G (1999) Use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons in perimenopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 181:1324–1327, discussion 1327–8PubMedCrossRef Bland DR, Earle BB, Vitolins MZ, Burke G (1999) Use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons in perimenopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 181:1324–1327, discussion 1327–8PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Bradley CS, Zimmerman MB, Qi Y, Nygaard IE (2007) Natural history of pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol 109:848–854PubMedCrossRef Bradley CS, Zimmerman MB, Qi Y, Nygaard IE (2007) Natural history of pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol 109:848–854PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Handa VL, Garrett E, Hendrix S, Gold E, Robbins J (2004) Progression and remission of pelvic organ prolapse: a longitudinal study of menopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 190:27–32PubMedCrossRef Handa VL, Garrett E, Hendrix S, Gold E, Robbins J (2004) Progression and remission of pelvic organ prolapse: a longitudinal study of menopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 190:27–32PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Ellerkmann RM, Cundiff GW, Melick CF, Nihira MA, Leffler K, Bent AE (2001) Correlation of symptoms with location and severity of pelvic organ prolapse. Am J Obstet Gynecol 185:1332–1337, discussion 1337–8PubMedCrossRef Ellerkmann RM, Cundiff GW, Melick CF, Nihira MA, Leffler K, Bent AE (2001) Correlation of symptoms with location and severity of pelvic organ prolapse. Am J Obstet Gynecol 185:1332–1337, discussion 1337–8PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Burrows LJ, Meyn LA, Walters MD, Weber AM (2004) Pelvic symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Obstet Gynecol 104:982–988PubMedCrossRef Burrows LJ, Meyn LA, Walters MD, Weber AM (2004) Pelvic symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Obstet Gynecol 104:982–988PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Bradley CS, Zimmerman MB, Wang Q, Nygaard IE (2008) Vaginal descent and pelvic floor symptoms in postmenopausal women: a longitudinal study. Obstet Gynecol 111:1148–1153PubMedCrossRef Bradley CS, Zimmerman MB, Wang Q, Nygaard IE (2008) Vaginal descent and pelvic floor symptoms in postmenopausal women: a longitudinal study. Obstet Gynecol 111:1148–1153PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Tegerstedt G, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2005) Prevalence of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in a Swedish population. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 16:497–503PubMedCrossRef Tegerstedt G, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2005) Prevalence of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in a Swedish population. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 16:497–503PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Tegerstedt G, Miedel A, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2005) A short-form questionnaire identified genital organ prolapse. J Clin Epidemiol 58:41–46PubMedCrossRef Tegerstedt G, Miedel A, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2005) A short-form questionnaire identified genital organ prolapse. J Clin Epidemiol 58:41–46PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Bump RC, Mattiasson A, Bo K et al (1996) The standardization of terminology of female pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 175:10–17PubMedCrossRef Bump RC, Mattiasson A, Bo K et al (1996) The standardization of terminology of female pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 175:10–17PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Miedel A, Tegerstedt G, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2008) Symptoms and pelvic support defects in specific compartments. Obstet Gynecol 112:851–858PubMedCrossRef Miedel A, Tegerstedt G, Maehle-Schmidt M, Nyren O, Hammarstrom M (2008) Symptoms and pelvic support defects in specific compartments. Obstet Gynecol 112:851–858PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Swift SE, Tate SB, Nicholas J (2003) Correlation of symptoms with degree of pelvic organ support in a general population of women: what is pelvic organ prolapse? Am J Obstet Gynecol 189:372–377, discussion 377–9PubMedCrossRef Swift SE, Tate SB, Nicholas J (2003) Correlation of symptoms with degree of pelvic organ support in a general population of women: what is pelvic organ prolapse? Am J Obstet Gynecol 189:372–377, discussion 377–9PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Barber MD (2005) Symptoms and outcome measures of pelvic organ prolapse. Clin Obstet Gynecol 48:648–661PubMedCrossRef Barber MD (2005) Symptoms and outcome measures of pelvic organ prolapse. Clin Obstet Gynecol 48:648–661PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Short-term natural history in women with symptoms indicative of pelvic organ prolapse
Authors
Ann Miedel
Marion Ek
Gunilla Tegerstedt
Marianne Mæhle-Schmidt
Olof Nyrén
Margareta Hammarström
Publication date
01-04-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-010-1305-z

Other articles of this Issue 4/2011

International Urogynecology Journal 4/2011 Go to the issue