Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Congenital vaginal aplasia is a condition with devastating implications for fertility and sexuality. However, little is known on whether urinary symptomatology is more common prior and following vaginal lengthening procedures in these women.
Methods
We performed a prospective observational study of 19 women with vaginal agenesis before and after vaginal dilation treatment or a laparoscopic Vecchietti procedure. All women completed the ICIQ FLUTS questionnaire before and after treatment in order to assess incidence and changes in urinary symptomatology.
Results
Urinary symptoms were present in 53% of women prior to treatment. The majority of bladder symptoms were not significantly altered by treatment, except for incomplete bladder emptying. Women following the Vecchietti procedure had increased urinary hesitancy and a poorer steam compared with those completing dilation treatment. The longer the vaginal length, the greater the urinary frequency.
Conclusion
Women with vaginal agenesis had significant levels of urinary symptoms and to our knowledge this has not been reported before. The majority of symptoms were not altered by treatment.
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Details of ethics approval
Ethics approval was received by the joint UCL/UCLH committee on human research (REC Ref: 07/H0714/121).
Funding
None.
Conflicts of interest
Alfred Cutner is a consultant at Surgical Innovation and American Medical Systems and is the Vice Chair of the British Society of Urogynaecology
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Michala, L., Strawbridge, L., Bikoo, M. et al. Lower urinary tract symptoms in women with vaginal agenesis. Int Urogynecol J 24, 425–429 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1870-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1870-4