The Influence of Successful Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse on Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia—A Prospective Intervention Impact Assessment Study

Abstract

Introduction: The association between pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) and psychiatric conditions is an area of emerging interest. The causal direction of this relationship, however, remains ambiguous; it is unclear whether PFDs directly contribute to the deterioration of mental health or if pre-existing psychiatric conditions such as depression exacerbate the symptoms of PFDs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of successful surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Materials and Methods: This investigation focused on patients who underwent successful surgical interventions for SUI and POP. Both subjective and objective symptoms of PFDs, along with psychiatric status, were assessed before and after the surgical procedures. Results: This study found that successful surgical treatment of SUI and POP led to a significant reduction in anxiety scores. Additionally, in patients with SUI, successful treatment was objectively associated with a decrease in the severity of insomnia. Alleviation of symptoms associated with the lower urinary tract, prolapse, and colorectal–anal region following POP surgery was correlated with improvements in depression and anxiety but not insomnia. Subjectively assessed improvements in SUI subjective symptoms were linked to reductions in the severity of depression, anxiety, and insomnia in patients who underwent anti-incontinence surgery. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential cause-and-effect relationship between PFDs and certain psychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of successful treatment of PFDs in mitigating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.