Urogenital symptoms are frequent in women with chronic constipation and the severity of constipation aggravates the inconvenience caused due to the urogenital symptoms, according to a recent retrospective cohort study reported in the journal Techniques in Coloproctology. 

This study conducted at a tertiary hospital from May 2007 through August 2019 attempted to characterize urogenital symptoms in women with and without constipation. The urogenital symptoms were also assessed by severity of constipation.Women with a history of bowel resection, inflammatory bowel disease, or pelvic organ prolapse symptoms were not included in the study. The urogenital symptoms were evaluated with the help of Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6), while the constipation severity was assessed with the Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI).

Nearly 60% of women had chronic constipation. The probability of urogenital symptoms such as urinary hesitancy, dyspareunia and feeling of incomplete emptying of bladder was higher in women with chronic constipation. Women with higher CSI scores had higher UDI-6 scores, increased bladder splinting, pad use, urinary frequency and dyspareunia on univariate analysis, whereas on multivariate analysis, a significant association was noted for higher UDI score, increased bladder splinting, urinary frequency and dyspareunia. 

This study has demonstrated a correlation between urogenital symptoms and chronic constipation. Women with chronic constipation are more likely to have urogenital symptoms. The authors therefore suggest that urogynecologists should look for both urogenital symptoms and chronic constipation in women and assess their severity to provide comprehensive care. 

Source: Ortega MV, et al. Tech Coloproctol. 2022 Jan;26(1):29-34.