Background
PROLAPSE, PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem amongst women with a history of hysterectomy, since this procedure is positively correlated to POP [Feeling a bulge is the most relevant symptom in detecting a prolapse [Pelvic floor symptoms can however be multifactorial, aspecific, increasing by age, and are therefore not always related to POP [Regardless of the presence of POP, we do not know how many women experience pelvic floor symptoms (PFS) in the long-term after hysterectomy. And if they do experience PFS, what kind of symptoms, to what extent, and what is the relation to POP.The purpose of this study is to observe and describe the natural course of PFS of women in the long-term after hysterectomy, and to link this to their pelvic floor anatomy. Our objective is to increase understanding of the relationship between PFS and anatomic prolapse in a post-hysterectomy cohort. This knowledge could help clinicians in counselling women undergoing hysterectomy about pelvic floor symptoms in the future, and when to call a POP ‘symptomatic’ after hysterectomy.