Quality of Life After Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Vaginal Pessary versus Surgery

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is quite common and has an impact on quality of life (QoL). The evaluation of QoL after treatment for prolapse is important. The objective was to compare patient’s prolapse symptoms, functional outcomes, and quality of life between pessary and surgery using standardized questionnaires at 1 and 6 months after treatment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study including women with symptomatic POP who chose pessary or surgery as the first-line treatment. We evaluated QoL using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms and Prolapse Quality of Life questionnaires. RESULTS: Seventy-two participants were enrolled, with 36 in each group. Body mass index, menopausal status, marital status, number of vaginal deliveries, and stage of pelvic organ prolapse were not significantly different between the groups. At 1 and 6 months after treatment, participants in both groups reported significant improvement in prolapse symptoms, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life. At 1 month after treatment, absolute changes in vaginal symptom scores in the pessary and surgery groups were −16.67 and −19.03, respectively (p > 0.05); at 6 months, the absolute changes were −19.21 and −19.25, respectively (p > 0.05). Significant improvement was only found in role limitation and physical and social domains at both follow-up times after surgery. CONCLUSION: At 1 and 6 month(s) after treatment, women with symptomatic POP reported substantial improvement in prolapse symptoms and functional outcomes when treated with pessary or surgical correction.