The outcome of pelvic examinations in women 40-60 years of age with lower urinary tract symptoms

Abstract

We set out to assess the outcome of pelvic examination in women 40-60 years of age with one or more lower urinary tract symptoms. This was an ongoing longitudinal cohort study set in one rural and one urban county in Denmark. One hundred and ninety-six women with one or more lower urinary tract symptoms occurring at least weekly were selected at random. Ages ranged from 40 to 60 years. Pelvic findings involving genital prolapse, signs of vaginal atrophy, and pelvic mass as well as a history of hormonal status and estrogen deficiency symptoms were documented and assessed. One hundred and six women (54.1%) were recruited. First degree cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse occurred in 24 (22.6%), seven (6.6%), and six (5.7%), women respectively. No significant association between first-degree genital prolapse and subtypes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was observed. The number of women with second or third degree cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse was three (2.8%), two (1.9%), and two (1.9%), respectively. The positive predictive vaginal findings in each subtype of LUTS indicating an oestrogen deficiency were in the interval 72.0- 90.0 while the negative predictive vaginal findings were in the interval 24.7-27.6%, respectively. In six women (5.7%) a leiomyoma was observed. In one woman the size of the uterus exceeded the size of a 12-week pregnancy. Genital prolapse more than first degree and pelvic masses were infrequent findings among women with LUTS. Signs of vaginal atrophy associated poorly with a history of hormonal depletion and symptoms indicating oestrogen deficiency. However even an infrequent pathologic finding is significant. Therefore we still recommend pelvic examinations in all women with LUTS.