Gender expression is associated with selection of uterine preservation or hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse surgery: Novel methodology for sex- and gender-based analysis in gynecologic research.

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether patient characteristics were associated with gender expression, and to further determine impact of gender expression on patient selection of hysterectomy or uterine-preservation in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery.

METHODS

Within a prospective cohort, a self-reported gender expression tool classified patients as expressing gender polar (i.e., reporting only feminine traits) or non-polar gender scores (i.e., reporting feminine and masculine traits). Multivariate modeling explored associations of gender expression with traditional socio-demographic variables, and with selection of hysterectomy or uterine-preserving surgery. Descriptive statistics of socio-demographic variables were reported by frequency, proportion and mean (SD).

RESULTS

177 participants completed the gender score questionnaire. Overall, the sample had a more feminine gender expression with the majority of respondents classified as gender polar (67.23%, n = 119). Participants with non-polar gender scores were 2.53 times (95% 1.05-6.09) more likely to choose uterine preservation versus hysterectomy-based surgery. Gender polarity was weakly associated with age, but no other sociodemographic variables.

CONCLUSION

Gender expression is not tightly associated with socio-demographic variables, and is thus a novel measurement in gynecologic research. Gender polarity appears to be associated with choice to undergo hysterectomy. Further research is required to understand this relationship and implications in clinical outcomes.