Self-reported bladder function five years post-hysterectomy

Summary

We have examined the contribution of hysterectomy, compared with less invasive surgery, for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) on the prevalence of bladder problems five years after surgery. We report a prospective cohort study of over 25,000 women treated for benign cause menorrhagia by three types of surgery – transcervical endometrial resection/ablation and hysterectomy with or without bilateral oophorectomy. Postal questionnaires were sent five years after surgery investigating satisfaction with surgery and bladder function. When adjusted for confounders the odds of severe urinary incontinence (OR = 1.59, CI 95%, 1.35 – 1.87), urinary frequency (1.23 (1.04 – 1.45)), and nocturia (1.19, (1.03 – 1.38)) – were increased for women who had a hysterectomy compared with endometrial ablation. Hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy was not as strongly associated with severe bladder problems. Women who had the LAVH were most likely to report severe urinary incontinence (2.02, CI 95% 1.32 – 3.07), but not severe frequency or nocturia.