Research article summary (published 28 Mar 1996):

[Urogenital symptoms and their resulting discomfort in non-institutionalized 50-to-75-year-old Dutch women]

(Urogenitale verschijnselen en hinder daarvan bij thuiswonende Nederlandse vrouwen van 50 tot 75 jaar.)

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To determine the prevalence of urogenital symptoms in non-institutionalized Dutch women, aged 50 to 75 years, and the degree of discomfort. DESIGN. Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nationwide investigation. METHOD. A questionnaire was sent to 2157 non-institutionalized Dutch women aged 50 to 75 years. The survey sample was representative of the female population aged 50 to 75 years with respect to age, marital status, level of education and menopausal age. RESULTS: The usable response was 81.6% (n = 1761). The overall prevalence of vaginal dryness, soreness and dyspareunia was 27%. The prevalence of micturition symptoms, urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infections was 36%. The prevalence estimates for vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence showed a linear decrease with increasing age. Almost half of the symptomatic women reported moderate to severe discomfort. One-third of those affected received medical care. Previous hysterectomy had no effect on the reported prevalence estimates. Hysterectomized women reported moderate to severe complaints more often than non-hysterectomized ones. CONCLUSION. The prevalence of urogenital symptoms in non-institutionalized Dutch women aged 50 to 75 years, was high: 47%. Of these women, 40% to 60% experienced discomfort, but only one-third had sought medical advice. These urogenital problems will probably increase in the coming decades.

Author information

Author/s: van Geelen, J M (JM); van de Weijer, P H (PH); Arnolds, H T (HT);

Affiliation: Sint Anna Ziekenhuis, afd. Verloskunde en Gynaecologie, Oss.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd), published in NETHERLANDS. (Language: dut)

Reference: 1996-Mar; vol 140 (issue 13) : pp 713-6

Dates: Created 1996/08/05; Completed 1996/08/05; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 8668251, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

ErratumIn: Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1996 Dec 28;140(52):2652.

ErratumIn: Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1996 May 4;140(18):1008.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged Atrophy Cohort Studies Cross-Sectional Studies Female Female Urogenital Diseases - epidemiology; psychology Humans

Middle Aged Netherlands - epidemiology Prevalence Quality of Life Sampling Studies Urination Disorders - epidemiology Vagina - pathology

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