Prevalence of Genital Prolapse in Thai Menopausal Women (Using New Standardization Classification)
Vorachai Chuenchompoonut, MD*, Suvit Bunyavejchevin, MD, MHS*, Wirach Wisawasukmongchol, MD*, Nimit Taechakraichana, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Background : There is an increasing number of menopausal women in Thailand (estimation of 5 million
women). There is no published data on the prevalence of genital prolapse among Thai menopausal woman. So
the authors created this hospital based study to identify the magnitde of this problem in Thai menopausal
women.
Objective : To study the prevalence and symptoms of genital prolapse in Thai menopausal women attending
the menopausal clinic in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
Study
Design : Descriptive study (Cross-sectional study).
Materials and Methods : Two hundred and fifteen Thai menopausal women attending the menopause clinic at
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from the 1st of January to the 28th of February 2004 were recruited.
Urinary symptoms history taking and pelvic examination were done. The severity of any prolapse was classified
using International Continence Society classification.
Results : Prevalance of Thai menopausal women having any type of genital prolapse was 43.3%. Anterior
vaginal wall prolapse and superior vaginal prolapse were the two highest prevalences of genital prolapse
(29.3% and 14.9%). The prevalence of genital
prolapse increased by the menopausal age. The two leading symptoms were stress incontinence and vaginal
outlet relaxation (89.3% and 51.6%).
Conclusion : From the present study, the authors found the prevalence of any genital prolapse (43.3%) and
stress incontinence(89.3%) among Thai women attending menopausal clinic in King Chulalongkorn Memorial
Hospital. The authors strongly recommend pelvic examination and urinary-symptoms history taking to
evaluate the severity of genital prolapse.
Keywords : Prevalence, Genital prolepse, Thai menopausal women
