Sexual function after sacrospinous ligament fixation for vaginal vault prolapse.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if sacrospinous ligament fixation predisposes to dyspareunia or if vaginal narrowing secondary to repair of associated defects is causative.

STUDY

DESIGN

We interviewed and examined 36 heterosexual patients preoperatively and at follow-up 15-79 months postoperatively. We inquired specifically as to sexual activity or inactivity and whether sexual function had improved or declined since surgery.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, sexually active patients reported either an improvement or no change in sexual function unless vaginal narrowing occurred. Vaginal narrowing caused apareunia in three postoperative patients. Death of the partner was the most common reason for sexual inactivity preoperatively or postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Sacrospinous ligament fixation did not predispose to dyspareunia unless vaginal narrowing due to repair of associated defects was present.