Research Article

Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study

Volume: 7 Number: 5 October 25, 2026

Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function over an 18-month period. Methods: Fifty females scheduled for pelvic floor surgery were prospectively enrolled. Pelvic floor symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function were assessed using validated Turkish questionnaires (PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, PISQ-12, OAB-V8) at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Repeated measurements were analysed using Friedman's two-way analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used where appropriate. The Friedman analysis was conducted on complete cases; a last observation carried forward (LOCF) sensitivity analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 50 females were followed at 6 months, 44 at 12 months, and 28 at 18 months. Statistically significant improvements were observed in PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores at all postoperative follow-up periods (p<0.05), indicating a marked reduction in pelvic floor-related symptom burden and improvement in quality of life. Significant postoperative improvements were observed in UDI-6, POPDI-6, UIQ-7, CRAIQ-7, and POPIQ-7 scores (p<0.05). CRADI-8 scores demonstrated significant improvement at the 12- and 18-month follow-ups. Regarding sexual function, no significant change was detected in total PISQ-12 scores; however, a significant improvement was observed in the physical domain of the PISQ-12 at 12 and 18 months postoperatively (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pelvic floor surgery for POP improves pelvic floor-related symptoms and quality of life. Although improvement in the physical domain suggests a beneficial effect of surgery on specific aspects of sexual function, no statistically significant change in total PISQ-12 scores was detected.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Project Number

The study was approved by the Pamukkale University Scientific Research Ethics Committee (08.04.2014, decision no. 6).

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Pamukkale University Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Decision No. 6, dated 08 April 2014). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrolment.

References

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  6. Haya N, Baessler K, Christmann-Schmid C, et al. Prolapse and continence surgery in countries of the OECD in 2012. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(6):755.e1-755.e27. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.02.017
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 25, 2026

Submission Date

July 22, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 5

APA
Turan, İ., Karabulut, A., & Öztekin, Ö. (2026). Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(5), 1037-1045. https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC
AMA
1.Turan İ, Karabulut A, Öztekin Ö. Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(5):1037-1045. https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC
Chicago
Turan, İlyas, Aysun Karabulut, and Özer Öztekin. 2026. “Impact of Pelvic Floor Surgery on Quality of Life and Sexual Function: A Prospective 18-Month Follow-up Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (5): 1037-45. https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC.
EndNote
Turan İ, Karabulut A, Öztekin Ö (October 1, 2026) Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 5 1037–1045.
IEEE
[1]İ. Turan, A. Karabulut, and Ö. Öztekin, “Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 1037–1045, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC
ISNAD
Turan, İlyas - Karabulut, Aysun - Öztekin, Özer. “Impact of Pelvic Floor Surgery on Quality of Life and Sexual Function: A Prospective 18-Month Follow-up Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/5 (October 1, 2026): 1037-1045. https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC.
JAMA
1.Turan İ, Karabulut A, Öztekin Ö. Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:1037–1045.
MLA
Turan, İlyas, et al. “Impact of Pelvic Floor Surgery on Quality of Life and Sexual Function: A Prospective 18-Month Follow-up Study”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 5, Oct. 2026, pp. 1037-45, https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC.
Vancouver
1.İlyas Turan, Aysun Karabulut, Özer Öztekin. Impact of pelvic floor surgery on quality of life and sexual function: a prospective 18-month follow-up study. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 1;7(5):1037-45. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA39UH35GC

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