Self-reported pelvic organ prolapse surgery, prevalence, and nonobstetric risk factors: findings from the Nord Trondelag Health Study

POP surgery was reported by 1,123 (5.3 %) of all women: 0.7 % < age 40, 3.1 % between age 40 and 59, and 10.8 % age > 60. Cumulative incidence by age 85 was 14.6 %; mean age at surgery was 51.6 [standard deviation 14.7]. After adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, odds ratios (OR) with 99 % confidence intervals (CI) for reporting the need for POP surgery were marked constipation 1.83 (1.30-2.56), BMI categories above normal 1.58-1.64 (1.10-2.25), COPD 1.51 (1.06-2.16), occupation involving lifting compared with sitting 1.40 (0.98-2.01), and asthma 1.25 (0.98-1.59). Cigarette smoking was not significantly associated. Prevalence of self-reported POP surgery was high and increased with age. Constipation reported a decade prior, above-normal BMI, and COPD were significant nonobstetric risk factors.