Guidelines for Nursing Care: Effect on Quality of Sexual Life among Women with Vaginal Prolapse

Background: Sexual activity plays a crucial role in intimate relationships and is a vital aspect of overall health. Vaginal prolapse, a condition characterized by the descent of pelvic organs into the vaginal canal, can severely impact sexual function and the overall quality of life for many women. Effective management of this condition necessitates a comprehensive approach that combines medical and nursing care to address both the physical and psychological dimensions of the disorder. Aim: to assess the effect of guidelines for nursing care on quality of sexual life among women with vaginal prolapse. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study. Settings: Menoufia University Hospital and Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital's obstetrics and gynecological outpatient clinics served as the study's settings. Sample: A purposive sample of 88 women was selected. Instruments: Four instruments were used for data collection: a structured interviewing questionnaire, women's compliance with the recommended nursing instructions sheet, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Female Sexual Quality of Life. Results: The nursing guidelines interventions significantly improved women's adherence to practices regarding vaginal prolapse and enhanced quality of sexual life. After three- and six-months post-intervention, the results indicated highly significant changes (P ≤ 0.001). Before the intervention, only 11.4% of women reported sexual desire, increasing to 38.6% after three months and 61.4% after six months. Similar trends were seen in sexual arousal, with an increase from 18.2% pre-intervention to 45.5% and 65.9% in three and six months, respectively. Lubrication improved from 15.9% to 59.1% and 86.4%, and sexual orgasm increased from 15.9% to 63.6% and 84.1%. Sexual satisfaction rose dramatically from 13.6% to 84.1% in both three and six months. Pain during sexual activity decreased significantly, from 25.0% reporting pain pre-intervention to 9.1% in three months and 13.6% at six months. Conclusion: The nursing guidelines interventions significantly improved women's adherence to practices regarding vaginal prolapse and enhanced quality of life. The intervention group also showed notable improvements in sexual function, demonstrating the effectiveness of pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle changes, and guideline-based care. Recommendations: Offer comprehensive education about vaginal prolapse, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, and optimizing bowel habits to manage symptoms.