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Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) affect women, men, and children globally. While physical therapy (PT) has been shown to improve PFDs, overall access to PT is limited because of provider shortage and expertise. We hypothesize telerehabilitation (TR) is a novel approach to address access and expertise care for PFD. Study Design: Case series. Case Descriptions: Three pelvic health patients (1 male and 2 females) volunteered to receive initial and follow-up care via TR. The male patient was treated for premature ejaculation, and the female patients were seen for postpartum recovery, stress urinary incontinence, and diastasis recti. A total of 9 visits were completed. Outcomes: Using a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based, synchronous mobile app, a 14-question survey, and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (for the male health participant), participants rated their experience with TR. The 3 participants rated the TR system as high quality (2/3) and very high quality (1/3). Using a mobile phone was the preferred digital device (2/3) compared with laptop use. All 3 participants felt their needs were met and that they received good care during the session. Summary: Telerehabilitation has the potential to deliver quality care with improved access for patients with PFD for both initial and follow-up visits. This case series presents 3 patients' perceptions of using TR for pelvic health PT care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional pelvic floor muscles have been associated with increased spinopelvic stability. However, studies are limited on the co-existence of pregnancy-related Low Back Pain (LBP) and pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions. Objectives: This study evaluated correlations between the LBP and Urinary Incontinence (UI) among pregnant and postpartum women in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved One hundred and fifty (150) consenting women (103 pregnant and 47 postpartum) attending antenatal and post-natal clinics of three hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. Information on maternal and obstetric characteristics, LBP and UI symptoms were obtained using a structured questionnaire which consisted three sections, including the International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation with at a significant level of 0.05. Results: Pregnant and postpartum women's mean age ± standard deviations were 28.89±4.80 years and 29.89±5.69 years respectively. Most pregnant and postpartum women had moderate (40.5%) and mild (39.1%) LBP Intensity respectively. Majority (pregnant - 72,5%; postpartum - 71.4%) of the women in both groups experienced stress UI. LBP and UI were co-existent among the respondents (pregnant 35.9% and postpartum 42.6%). There were no significant correlations between intensities of LBP and degree of UI in both pregnant (p = 0.324) and postpartum (p = 0.464) women. However, intensity of LBP was significantly (p = 0.041) associated with the types of UI reported by the pregnant women only. Conclusion: LBP and UI are co-existent in pregnant and postpartum women. Incorporating pelvic floor muscle training into management of LBP is recommended as well as integration of back muscles' rehabilitation into the management of pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complex functional movements such as jumping typically provoke stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. The aim of this study was to investigate pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity in young, healthy women during jumps to explore their activity characteristics.Methods: Surface electromyography (EMG) from PFMs was measured in 16 healthy women with a tripolar vaginal probe during drop landings from heights of 15, 30 and 45 cm (DL 15, 30, 45) as well as during mini-trampolining with a pace of 90 and 75 jumps per minute (MT 90, 75). Time of foot strike and body weight force (BWF) in % (= ground reaction force, normalised to body weight) was determined by force plates. Root mean square values of the EMG signals were analyzed from 30 ms before to 150 ms after foot strike. Peak activity during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was set as 100% for EMG normalization. The PFM onset threshold was determined as the mean of rest activity plus 2 standard deviations. Data were analysed with non-parametric statistical methods.Results: EMG activity during all jumps was above the PFM onset threshold. Mean pre- and reflex activity increased significantly with jumping height (p < 0.05) as well as with increasing BWF. The PFM activation pattern of DL was with peak activity of 115-182 %MVC between 34 and 44 ms after foot strike, which was different from MT with peak PFM activity of 85-115 %MVC reached at 133 ms.Conclusions: Jumping and mini-trampolining provoked significant PFM activity in healthy volunteers. The next research step will be to examine the PFM activity of women suffering from SUI during jumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: People are increasingly aware of healthy lifestyles. Extenuating practice can injure the pelvic floor. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition in women whether they exercise professionally or not. The most common symptom is stress UI. It is reported in a large variety of sports and may interfere with everyday life or training, leading athletes to change or compromise their performance or risk compromising it. We aimed to assess the prevalence of UI in female athletes and to determine whether the type of sport might also influence UI.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and LILACS up to 23 January 2017. The search strategy included the keywords pelvic floor disorders, urinary incontinence, athletes, and sports. The inclusion criterion was studies of women who performed any kind of sport with a prevalence of UI. The subjects were female, with no restriction for age, sport modality, or frequency of training. The outcome was prevalence of UI.Results: The search identified 385 studies, 22 of which met the methodologic criteria for complete analysis. In this review, 7507 women aged 12 to 69 years were included. Only five studies compared physically active women to controls. Every study included high or moderate impact activities involving jumping, fast running, and rotational movements. In total, 17 sport modalities were analyzed. The prevalence of UI varied from 5.56% in low-impact activity to 80% in trampolining. In athletes, the prevalence of incontinence ranged from 10.88% to 80%, showing that the amount of training influences UI symptoms. High-impact activities showed a 1.9-fold prevalence over medium-impact activities and 4,59-fold prevalence over impact activities. Factors such as hormone use, smoking, or menopausal status could not be assessed since they were not detailed in most of the studies.Conclusion: These data suggest that sports practice increases the prevalence of UI and that the type of activity performed by women also has a bearing on the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation is widely used for pelvic floor muscle dysfunctions (PFMDs), but studies are not always clear about the parameters used, jeopardizing their reproduction. As such, this study aimed to be a reference for researchers and clinicians when using electrical stimulation for PFMD. This report was designed by experts on electrophysical agents and PFMD who determined all basic parameters that should be described. The terms were selected from the Medical Subject Headings database of controlled vocabulary. An extensive process of systematic searching of databases was performed, after which experts met and discussed on the main findings, and a consensus was achieved. Electrical stimulation parameters were described, including the physiological meaning and clinical relevance of each parameter. Also, a description of patient and electrode positioning was added. A consensus-based guideline on how to report electrical stimulation parameters for PFMD treatment was developed to help both clinicians and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Validated questionnaires are commonly used in research, but successful completion rates in clinical settings are largely unknown. The primary goal of this study was to assess the frequency of appropriate completion of a validated research survey. We secondarily examined relationships between demographics and successful questionnaire completion.Methods: New patients completed a paper form of the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) to assess pelvic floor symptoms and level of bother. Various aspects of successful survey completion were assessed, including unanswered questions, affirmative responses without selection of a level of bother, or choosing a level of bother despite reporting not having a symptom. Relationships between self-reported demographic characteristics and completion of the survey were also evaluated.Results: Five hundred and fourteen questionnaires were completed by a cohort of women with a mean age of 57.5 ± 14.4 years (range 19-97). Overall, 45.3% of women (n = 233) completed the entire PFBQ properly as originally described. Women skipped at least one entire question 16.5% of the time. On logistic regression, older age was significantly associated with improper questionnaire completion (55.0 years ±14.9 successful vs 59.6 years ±13.6 unsuccessful completion, p < 0.001 for overall completion). Age was significantly associated with proper completion of every individual PFBQ question, except question 8 concerning fecal incontinence (p = 0.06). Education level was not significantly associated with successful questionnaire completion.Conclusions: Overall successful completion of the survey as designed and validated was low, even in a highly educated population. Ways to simplify the instrument to enhance completion, such as electronic smart questionnaires, should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence (UI) is any involuntary loss of urine. In female athletes, physical exercise may be a risk factor for UI because of increased intra-abdominal pressure generated during high-impact exercises, which overloads the pelvic organs, predisposing them to UI. This is a systematic review of the prevalence of UI in female athletes in different sports. A search for articles was carried out in the PEDro, Scopus, Cinahl, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases as well as a manual search of the references of studies already published on the subject with the keywords “athlete,” “urinary incontinence,” and “women” in Portuguese and English. Only articles published from 2000 to 2016 were included. Observational studies assessing the prevalence of UI in female athletes were selected. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black scale, and the data collected from the studies were analyzed through meta-analysis. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis showed a 36% prevalence of UI in female athletes in different sports, and compared with sedentary women, the athletes had a 177% higher risk of presenting with UI. There is a higher prevalence of UI in female athletes compared with sedentary women. There have been reports of UI in different sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to ascertain the association between levator avulsion and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study involving 195 women enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study and seen 20 years after an index birth. All had a standardized patient‐administered questionnaire, the International Continence Society Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification assessment and 4D translabial ultrasound. Main outcome measures were objective POP clinically and on translabial ultrasound. Postimaging assessment of levator integrity and sonographically determined pelvic organ descent was done blinded against other data. Results: Of 195 women who were seen a mean of 23 (range, 19.4–46.2) years after their first birth, one declined ultrasound assessment and was excluded, leaving 194. Mean age was 50.2 (range 36.9–66.5) years with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.6 (range, 18.3–54.3) kg/m2. Median parity was 3 (range 1–14). Ninety‐one percent (n = 176) had delivered vaginally. Eighteen percent (n = 34) were symptomatic of prolapse. Clinically, 36% (n = 69) had significant POP. Levator avulsion was diagnosed in 16% (n = 31). Mean levator avulsion defect score was 2.2 (range, 0–12). On univariate analysis, levator avulsion and levator avulsion defect score were associated with clinically and sonographically significant POP, that is, odds ratio 2.6 (1.2–5.7), P = .01; and odds ratio 3.3 (1.4–7.7); P = .003, respectively; Ba (P < .001); bladder (P < .001); uterine (P < .001) and rectal ampulla (P = .009) descent, but not POP symptoms, C, and Bp. Multivariate analysis controlling for potential confounders confirmed our findings. Conclusions: Levator avulsion is associated with female pelvic organ prolapse, especially of the anterior and central compartments. This association may become stronger with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in Nepal who suffer from pelvic floor disorders often have limited access to health advice. In rural areas, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) are responsible for maternal health counselling and services. We sought to investigate whether an educational workshop on pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for ANMs would improve their knowledge and enable them to correctly teach PFMT to community women. We invited ANMs from three rural regions in Nepal to attend 1-day training workshops. Using a structured questionnaire we assessed pre- and post-PFMT knowledge following a workshop. Subsequently, three ANMs were observed teaching PFMT to women with varied levels of supervision. A correct pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction was assessed with transabdominal real-time ultrasound. The Wilcoxon signed rank paired test was used to assess the change in knowledge. In total, 88 ANMs attended the three training workshops. Following the workshop, the mean change in knowledge scores increased by 18.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 15.5-21.6%, p < 0.001). The three selected ANMs successfully taught 71%, 45% and 17% of the women to correctly contract their PFMs with greater supervision resulting in higher success. A workshop on PFMT significantly increased ANMs' knowledge, and they were able to successfully teach PFMT when given additional one-on-one supervision. Teaching ANMs about PFMT may be a worthwhile strategy to reach women in rural settings who experience pelvic floor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate sexual function in women with pelvic floor symptoms and to investigate the association between pelvic floor symptoms, pelvic organ prolapses [POP] staging, compartment of POP, and sexual function using a short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire [PISQ-12]. Materials and Methods: Medical records of women with pelvic floor symptoms attending a urogynecology clinic who were sexually active were reviewed. Information about age, parity, menopausal status, medical history, history of vaginal delivery, and hysterectomy were collected. Pelvic floor symptoms, evaluated by the validated, self-administered Thai version of Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire [PFBQ] and sexual function, assessed by a PISQ-12 were recorded. Staging and compartment of POP were assessed using the International Continence Society Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification [POP-Q] System. Results: The mean age of the 312 sexually active women was 58.9±11.4 years. Two hundred forty-one (77.2%) were menopausal. Urinary incontinence was the highest reported pelvic floor symptom with the prevalence of 80.1%. There was no association between PISQ-12 scores and pelvic floor symptoms, POP staging, and compartment of prolapse. Nulliparous women and women who had sexual pain showed significantly lower PISQ-12 scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: Sexual impairment was not related to severity and compartment of prolapse. Women with dyspareunia symptoms were likely to experience sexual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been utilized extensively over the past decades for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the most frequently cited articles on pelvic floor physiotherapy published in the last 30 years.Methods: A PubMed search of all articles published between 1983 and 2013 was performed. Articles with more than 100 citations were identified as “classic,” and were further analyzed based on author names, year of publication, journal of publication, subject, study design, country of research, and number of citations. In 2017, a new search for papers on pelvic floor physiotherapy was conducted using the same methods to compare them with the 2013 data.Results: Of 1,285 articles published between 1983 and 2013, only 20 articles were cited more than 100 times. Among them, we found 12 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and only 4 reviews. The most common topics among the classic articles were behavior therapy, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), biofeedback-assisted PFMT, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. In 2017, we found 1,745 papers containing the term “pelvic floor physiotherapy,” indicating an increase of around 35% in 4 years.Conclusions: Although there is a fast-growing number of publications, we still have few classic papers on pelvic floor physiotherapy, concentrated in a few research centers. However, the large number of RCTs shows that these papers have a high scientific level, confirming that they can be classified as classic papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective was to assess the safety and feasibility of using a pelvic floor dilator during active labor to prevent injuries to the levator ani muscle (LAM) and perineum.Methods: In a prospective pilot study, a pelvic floor dilator using soft pads was introduced into the vaginal canal to gradually expand the vagina, in 30 nulliparous women and in 10 controls. The primary outcomes were adverse events related to the device. Secondary outcomes were perineal lacerations after delivery, sonographically defined levator ani injury, hiatal area dimensions, and anal sphincter disruption, all at 12-20 weeks postpartum, and maximum pelvic floor dilation, time to achieve maximum dilation, and device retention rate.Results: From October 2014 through November 2016, a total of 494 women were screened, and 61 consented to the study. Thirty women used the device and 27 returned for follow-up. No maternal or neonatal injuries were related to use of the dilator. The average maximum dilation of the vaginal canal was 7.4 cm (SD 0.7, range 5.5-8.0). Dilation time averaged 27 min (SD 13, range 5-60). Device insertion adjustment was needed in 13 out of 30 cases (43%). Similar rates of 3th-4th degree perineal lacerations were seen in both groups. Levator ani avulsion was diagnosed in 2 out of 27 (7%) in the device group and in 1 out of 9 (11%) in the control group (p = 0.2). The rate of partial injury in the device group was 2 out of 27 (7%) vs 2 out of 9 (22%) in the comparison group (p = 0.2).Conclusion: The use of the pelvic floor dilator during active labor is feasible. No safety issues were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: There is a widely held, but untested, belief that certain exercises and activities generate intraabdominal pressure (IAP) that may compromise the function of the pelvic floor muscles. Women with, or at risk of, pelvic floor disorders are advised therefore to refrain from these exercises and activities in order to theoretically protect their pelvic floor. The aim of this study was to compare IAPs generated during exercises of different types that are recommended to women as pelvic floor “safe” with those generated during the corresponding conventional exercises that women are typically cautioned against.Methods: This was a cross-sectional cohort study. All participants were guided by a trained exercise practitioner through a series of ten exercise pairs, one version recommended to women as pelvic floor “safe” and one conventional version which women are cautioned against. IAP components were extracted from the pressure traces from a wireless intravaginal pressure sensor and used in multivariate linear regression modelling, canonical discriminant analysis, and linear mixed modelling.Results: A total of 53 participants were recruited. After adjusting for age, body mass index and parity, there was an exercise type-version effect (p < 0.01). After taking into account all pressure components of the IAP trace, there was a significant difference in IAP between the recommended and discouraged versions of the same exercise for five of the ten exercise types. Coughing and the Valsalva manoeuvre generated IAPs that were distinct from those generated by the exercises.Conclusions: No differences in IAPs were found between the recommended and discouraged versions of the same exercise for all exercise types. In particular, the IAPs generated during the two versions of ball rotations, lunges, core, push-ups and squats did not differ significantly. Performing the recommended pelvic floor “safe” version instead of the discouraged conventional version of these exercises may not necessarily protect the pelvic floor and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR) for patients with bowel dysfunction after intersphincteric resection (ISR) and to compare the treatment response to that of patients after low anterior resection (LAR).Methods: Thirty patients with postoperative bowel dysfunction for more than 6 months were enrolled and treated with PFR for 6 months.Results: In the ISR group, significant improvements in the number of bowel movements and the use of antidiarrheal medications were observed, but no significant improvement was observed in the Wexner score (WS) and the fecal incontinence severity index (FISI). Meanwhile, in the LAR group, WS and FISI were better post-treatment than pre-treatment (WS: 10.7-5.7; p = 0.01, FISI: 28-11; p = 0.01). In the assessment of fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL), only the Coping/Behavior category was improved in the ISR group (1.56 before, 2.16 after PFR; p = 0.01), while all four categories were improved significantly in the LAR group. The anorectal manometric examination showed no significant increase in sphincter pressure and the tolerable volume in patients after ISR.Conclusions: PFR improved several clinical symptoms of patients after ISR. Compared with patients after LAR, patients after ISR showed an insufficient response to PFR in improving fecal incontinence. Considering the result of the generalized assessment of the quality of life scale, PFR may offer a therapeutic effect for several symptoms of patients after ISR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: New methods of conservative treatment of female stress urinary incontinence are needed. We investigated whether superimposed vibration mechanosignals during Kegel exercises could reduce the amount of urinary leakage after 4 and 6 weeks of training.Material and Methods: Sixty women with stress urinary incontinence were included in this prospective cohort study. Vibration mechanosignals were superimposed during Kegel exercises using an intravaginal device. Each training session consisted of 15 maximal contractions of pelvic floor muscles for 5 s. The women performed training (5 min/day) at home for 4 (n = 60) and 6 (n = 36) weeks. Urine leakage (g) during stress test with standardized bladder volume, and contraction force without and with superimposed mechanical stimulations were measured at inclusion (T0 ), and after 4 (T2 ) and 6 (T3 ) weeks of training using an intravaginal device. Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was recorded at T0 , and in a sub-cohort of women (n = 36) at 2 years follow up.Results: Mean urine leakage reduced significantly from 20.5 (± 12.2) g at T0 to 4.8 (± 6.7) g at T2 and 1.5 (± 6.7) g at T3 . After 4 and 6 weeks of training, urinary leakage was ≤ 4 g on stress test in 44 and 49 of the 60 women, respectively. At T0 , the mean Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score was 13 (± 2.4), and at 2 years follow up, the score was 6.3 (± 3.75).Conclusions: Superimposed mechanical stimulation with Kegel exercises significantly reduced urinary leakage in women with stress urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is limited evidence about changes in the pelvic floor during active labor. We aimed to investigate changes in hiatal dimensions during the active first stage of labor and associations with fetal descent and head position., Material and Methods: We conducted a longitudinal, prospective cohort study at the National University Hospital of Iceland, from 2016 to 2018. Nulliparous women with spontaneous onset of labor, a single fetus in cephalic presentation, and gestational age ≥37 weeks were eligible. Fetal position was assessed with transabdominal ultrasound and fetal descent was measured with transperineal ultrasound. Three-dimensional volumes were acquired from transperineal scanning at the start of the active phase of labor and in late first stage or early second stage. The largest transverse hiatal diameter was measured in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions. The levator urethral gap was measured as the distance between the center of the urethra and the levator insertion using tomographic ultrasound imaging. Measurements of the levator urethral gap were made in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions and 2.5 and 5 mm cranial to this., Results: The final study population comprised 78 women. The mean transverse hiatal diameter increased 12.4% between the two examinations, from 39.4 ± 4.1 mm (±standard deviation) at the first examination to 44.3 ± 5.8 mm at the last examination (p < 0.01). We found a moderate correlation between the transverse hiatal diameter and fetal station at the last examination (r = 0.44, r 2  = 0.19; p < 0.01; regression equation y = 2.71 + 0.014x), and a weak correlation between the change in transverse hiatal diameter and change in fetal station (r = 0.29; r 2  = 0.08; p = 0.01; regression equation y = 0.24 + 0.012x). Levator urethral gap increased significantly in all three planes on both the left and right sides. Head position was not associated with hiatal measurements after adjusting for fetal station., Conclusions: We found a significant, but only modest, increase of the hiatal dimensions during the first stage of labor. The risk of levator ani trauma will therefore be low during this stage. The change in transverse hiatal diameter was associated with fetal descent but not with head position., (© 2023 The Authors. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Introduction and Hypothesis: Injury of the levator ani muscle (LAM) is a significant risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The puborectalis (PRM) and pubovisceral (PVM) subdivisions are level III vaginal support structures. The null hypothesis was that there is no significant difference in patterns of LAM subdivisions in healthy nulliparous women. Secondarily, we evaluated the presence of different LAM injury in a POP-symptomatic cohort., Methods: This retrospective magnetic resonance imaging study included: 64 nulligravidae without any pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and 526 women of various parity with symptomatic POP. Primary outcome was PVM and PRM morphology on the axial planes: the attachment site on the pubic bone, and the visible separation/border between the PVM and PRM. The attachment was scored as "normal" or "abnormal". The "abnormal" attachment was divided in two types: "type I"-loss of the muscle substance, but preservation of the overall muscle architecture-and "type II"-muscle detachment from the pubic bone., Results: The puboanal muscle (PAM) subdivision was evaluated as a representative part of the PVM. The PAM and PRM attachments and separation were distinguished in all asymptomatic nulliparae. PAM and PRM attachments did not significantly differ. POP group characteristics were parity 1.9 ± 0.8, instrumental delivery 5.6%, hysterectomy or POP surgery 60%, all Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stages, LAM defect 77.6% (PRM: 77.1%; PAM: 51.3%). Type I injuries were more frequent (PRM 54.7%; PAM 53.9%) compared with type II (PRM 29.4%; PAM 42.1%)., Conclusions: A LAM defect was present in 77.6% of women with symptomatic POP. In PRM and PAM subdivisions type I injury was more frequent than type II., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with pessary fitting, continued use of pessary and satisfaction of patients with pelvic organ prolapse.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients who received an initial pessary fitting. The clinical characteristics of these patients were recorded. The Pelvic Floor Disability Index PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were used to assess pelvic floor dysfunction and quality of life. Complications, satisfaction degree, and reasons for abandonment were recorded during the follow-up. T test and Chi square test in SPSS version 20 were used to analyze the data.Results: Three hundred women with symptomatic prolapse were selected for pessary fitting, whose average age was 67.8 ± 10.7 years. For two hundred and forty-nine (83%) women, the fitting was successful, of whom 162 used ring pessaries and 87 used Gellhorn pessaries. Forty-seven patients abandoned using a pessary at the end of our study. Most clinical characteristics were not significantly different between the successful and unsuccessful fitting groups (P > 0.05). The average score of CRADI-8 was lower in successful fitting group (11.9 ± 15.9) than that in unsuccessful fitting group (18.8 ± 19.9) (P < 0.05). 162 patients with successful pessary fitting completed the satisfaction survey, 79% of whom were satisfied or very satisfied. Erosions (24.4%) were the most common complication. Difficulty in inserting or removing (30.4%) and erosions (22.8%) were the main factors, which affected the satisfaction degree.Conclusions: Patients with obvious symptoms of posterior pelvic prolapse are more likely to fit failure. Difficulty in inserting or removing and erosions are the main factors, which lead to the discontinuation of pessary use and decrease in the satisfaction degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacerations are common after vaginal birth. Trauma can occur on the cervix, vagina, and vulva, including the labial, periclitoral, and periurethral regions, and the perineum. Most of these lacerations do not result in adverse functional outcomes. Severe perineal lacerations, extending into or through the anal sphincter complex, although less frequent, are more commonly associated with increased risk of pelvic floor injury, fecal and urinary incontinence, pain, and sexual dysfunction with symptoms that may persist or be present many years after giving birth. The purpose of this document is to provide evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, identification, and repair of obstetric lacerations and for episiotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a clinical entity that is prevalent among female patients. Determining the exact underlying cause of pelvic floor dysfunction is difficult, and surgical intervention for this clinical entity may be challenging. Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect the quality of life of the patient by causing stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or both. Well-defined surgical treatment options, minimally invasive approaches, and novel techniques for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction have been recently introduced. Here, we evaluated the management options available for patients with stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. We searched Medline and EMBASE databases for relevant articles by using the keywords "pelvic floor dysfunction," "minimally invasive procedures," "stress urinary incontinence," "pelvic organ prolapse," and "novel techniques". Traditional treatment options for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are beyond the scope of our review. Laparoscopic and robotic surgical treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction continue to evolve and develop. These minimally invasive techniques will soon replace open procedures. Alternative novel treatment modalities have also been developed from novel human-compatible materials and are emerging as successful treatments for stress urinary incontinence. The development of these various treatment options has implications for future surgical practice in the field of uro-gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the postpartum pelvic floor disorders (PFD) and mode of delivery among adolescents, late adolescents, and young women from Western Amazon. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban area of Western Amazon in the city of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil, from October 2016 to February 2017. This is a convenience sample of women up to 30 years who completed six months postpartum, separated in three groups according to maternal age: adolescents (age ≤19 years), late adolescents (20–24 years), and young women (25–30 years). Participants were home interviewed and answered Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20). Delivery clinical data were collected from patient's medical records. Results: In total, 285 participants were interviewed: 41 adolescents, 103 late adolescents, and 141 young women. After controlling for confounding factors, prevalences of PFD were higher in the adolescents' group compared with the young women's group (urinary incontinence [UI], prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.75, 95% CI 1.14–2.69; urge urinary incontinence [UUI], PR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.02–3.47; stress urinary incontinence, PR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.11–3.62; fecal incontinence [FI], PR = 4.40, 95% CI 1.36–14.27). PFDI-20 scores also presented higher values in the adolescent group (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory [POPDI], PR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.49–2.75; urinary distress inventory [UDI], PR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.47–2.98; PFDI, PR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.47–2.98). Analyzing the influence of cesarean section, adolescents have higher prevalence of UI (PR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.04–3.26, P=0.037), UUI (PR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.03–5.40, P=0.042), and FI (PR = 4.09, 95% CI 1.21–13.81, P=0.023). In addition, POPDI (PR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.60–2.89, P<0.001), UDI (PR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.61–3.16, P<0.001), and PFDI (PR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.68–3.08, P<0.001) scores are also higher among adolescents where the baby is born by cesarean section. Conclusion: Adolescents present higher prevalence and symptoms of PFD; furthermore, cesarean delivery has a greater negative influence on the pelvic floor of adolescents when compared with young women. This reinforces the importance of PFD investigation among the adolescent population, mainly in developing countries which have high rates of adolescent pregnancy and cesarean section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) affect the female population, and the postpartum period can be related to the onset or aggravation of the disease. Early identification of the symptoms and the impact on quality of life can be achieved through assessment instruments. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate questionnaires used to assess PFD in the postpartum period. Methods: A systematic review study was conducted, following Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, using the databases: PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Web of Science, and Scopus, and the keywords PFD or pelvic floor disorders, postpartum or puerperium, and questionnaire. Articles published up till May 2018 were included, searching for articles using validated questionnaires for the evaluation of PFDs in postpartum women. The articles included were evaluated according to a checklist, and the validation studies and translated versions of the questionnaires were identified. Results: The search of the databases resulted in 359 papers, and 33 were selected to compose this systematic review, using nine validated questionnaires to assess PFDs in the postpartum period: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS), Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), PFDI-46, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-31), Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ), Female Pelvic Floor Questionnaire, electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire – Pelvic Floor, and PFD questionnaire specific for pregnancy and postpartum. The most frequently reported questionnaires included PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, and ICIQ-VS and are recommended by ICI. In addition, the review identified a specific questionnaire, recently developed, to access PFD during pregnancy and postpartum. Conclusion: The questionnaires used to evaluate PFD during postpartum period are developed for general population or urology/gynecology patients with incontinence and reinforce the paucity of highly recommended questionnaires designed for postpartum, in order to improve early and specific approach for this period of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of the urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary incontinence (UI), anal incontinence (AI) and dyspareunia among primiparous women, as well as to identify the association between dyspareunia and UI and mode of birth. Material and methods: Prospective observational study carried out with 96 post-partum women (72 normal births and 24 caesarean section), two and six months after birth. Data were collected via prenatal cards, medical registers and interviews with women between January and August, 2014, at the Centro do Parto Normal do Pronto Socorro e Maternidade Municipal Zoraide Eva das Dores, located in Itapecerica da Serra, São Paulo, and at Health Centers in the Itapecerica da Serra and the cities of Juquitiba, São Lourenço and Embú-Guaçú. Results: During pregnancy, 52.1% of women reported UTI and 30.2%, UI. Two and six months after birth, there was a prevalence of 4.2% and 11.8% of UTI, 17.7% and 11.8% of UI, 8.4% of AI (6.3% of flatus incontinence and 2.1% of feces) and 2.0% (only flatus incontinence; there was no faecal incontinence); and 48.1% and 17.8% of dyspareunia, respectively. There was no statistical association between the mode of delivery and dyspareunia and UI (p=0.742 and p=0.738; respectively). Conclusions: The most frequent pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) after birth were IU and dyspareunia. There was spontaneous reduction of the PFD in the sixth month after birth. The early identification of these diseases is extremely important to prevent, diagnose and treat any harm to women's physical and emotional health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginal birth may result in damage to the levator ani muscle (LAM) with subsequent pelvic floor dysfunction and there may be accompanying psychological problems. This study examines associations between these somatic injuries and psychological symptoms. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to examine the experiences of primiparous women (n = 40) with known LAM trauma was undertaken. Participants were identified from a population of 504 women retrospectively assessed by a perinatal imaging study at two obstetric units in Sydney, Australia. LAM avulsion was diagnosed by 3D/4D translabial ultrasound 3-6 months postpartum. The template consisted of open-ended questions. Main outcome measures were quality of information provided antenatally; intrapartum events; postpartum symptoms; and coping mechanisms. Thematic analysis of maternal experiences was employed to evaluate prevalence of themes. Ten statement categories were identified: (1) limited antenatal education (29/40); (2) no information provided on potential morbidities (36/40); (3) conflicting advice (35/40); (4) traumatized partners (21/40); (5) long-term sexual dysfunction/relationship issues (27/40); (6) no postnatal assessment of injuries (36/40); (7) multiple symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (35/40); (8) “putting up” with injuries (36/40); (9) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (27/40); (10) dismissive staff responses (26/40). Women who sustain LAM damage after vaginal birth have reduced quality of life due to psychological and somatic morbidities. PTSD symptoms are common. Clinicians may be unaware of the severity of this damage. Women report they feel traumatized and abandoned because such morbidities were not discussed prior to birth or postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Levator trauma is a risk factor for the development of pelvic organ prolapse. We aimed to identify antenatal predictors for significant damage to the levator ani muscle during a first vaginal delivery.Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study utilizing data from two studies with identical inclusion criteria and assessment protocols between 2005 and 2014. A total of 1148 primiparae with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were recruited and assessed with translabial ultrasound at 36 weeks antepartum and 871 (76%) returned for reassessment 3-6 months postpartum. The ultrasound data of vaginally parous women were analyzed for levator avulsion and microtrauma. The former was diagnosed if the muscle insertion at the inferior pubic ramus in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions and within 5 mm above were abnormal on tomographic ultrasound imaging. Microtrauma was diagnosed in women with an intact levator and if there was a postpartum increase in hiatal area on Valsalva by >20% with the resultant area ≥25 cm2 .Results: The complete datasets of 844 women were analyzed. Among them, 609 delivered vaginally: by normal vaginal delivery in 452 (54%), a vacuum birth in 102 (12%) and a forceps delivery in 55 (6%). Levator avulsion was diagnosed in 98 and microtrauma in 97. On multivariate analysis, increasing maternal age, lower body mass index and lower bladder neck descent were associated with avulsion. Increased bladder neck descent and a family history of cesarean section (CS) were associcated with microtrauma.Conclusions: Maternal age, body mass index, bladder neck descent and family history of CS are antenatal predictors for levator trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little has been published regarding general and pelvic floor-related health status in patients who have undergone surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess changes in pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, psychological status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with CRC from pre- to 6 months postoperatively. Methods: Pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and HRQoL of 30 participants who were undergoing surgery for stages I-III CRC were evaluated pre- and 6 months postoperatively. Results: Six months postoperatively, there were no significant changes in severity of pelvic floor symptoms, or other secondary outcomes (physical activity levels, depression, global HRQoL) compared to preoperative levels (p > 0.05). However, fecal incontinence (p = 0.03) and hair loss (p = 0.003) measured with the HRQoL instrument were significantly worse. Participants were engaged in low levels of physical activity before (42.3%) and after surgery (47.4%). Conclusion: The findings of a high percentage of participants with persistent low physical activity levels and worse bowel symptoms after CRC surgery compared to preoperative levels suggest the need for health-care professionals to provide information about the benefits of physical activity and bowel management at postoperative follow-ups. Further investigation in larger studies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pelvic floor disorders, in particular pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), are common in women. There is a described higher risk to develop postoperative SUI also in preoperatively continent women: this happens because in 30% of women the relief of the urethral obstruction caused by prolapse, unmasks a pre-existing compromised urethral function and thus an "occult" or potential SUI. The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of Macroplastique® implant, TVT-O or surgery alone in the management of occult urinary stress incontinence during prolapse surgery in terms of success rate and adverse events.Study Design: We enrolled 47 consecutive patients scheduled to vaginal prolapse surgery who did not report symptoms of stress incontinence. We collected surgical data, success and complication rates. Moreover we compared all the data with retrospective ones regarding surgery plus concomitant TVT-O (39 pts) and surgery alone (41 pts).Results: At 12-months follow-up, we reported a success rate of 87,2% in the "macroplastique group", comparable to the "surgery plus TVT-O group", with a statistically significant difference in comparison to the "surgery alone" group. "Surgery + TVT-O" group reported a higher rate of major complications (p<0,01) in comparison to the other groups.Conclusions: Postoperative SUI prevention at the time of prolapse repair remains a challenging issue. In selected patients, Macroplastique may play an interesting role having a good success rate and a low complication rate and for these reasons it may be proposed as A concomitant procedure during POP surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Pregnancy and delivery are well-established risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), but the physiopathology, such as the delivery route, is not well understood. This study evaluated the impact of delivery route on the pelvic floor muscles via 3D ultrasound.Methods: This review is registered in the PROSPERO database. The criteria for inclusion were prospective studies with 3D translabial ultrasound assessment in primigravida women during pregnancy and postpartum published in English, Spanish or Portuguese between 1980 and 2016. We excluded studies that did not include the topic of urogenital hiatus measurement and literature reviews. The MeSH terms were obstetric delivery, postpartum period, labor, parturition, three-dimensional images, ultrasonography, pelvic floor, and pelvic floor disorders.Results: The search retrieved 155 articles. After analysis, 6 articles were included. Four studies showed that vaginal delivery (VD) was associated with a larger hiatal area. One study associated the hiatal area with levator ani muscle (LAM) defects in VD. Four articles evaluated the bladder neck, 3 of which showed a significant increase in bladder neck mobility associated with VD and 1 showed decreased bladder neck elevation, not associated with the delivery mode; the first 3 articles all evaluated LAM injuries and showed an association between VD and LAM injury. Women who underwent VD presented defects of the puborectalis muscle.Conclusions: Vaginal delivery was associated with a higher number of LAM injuries, puborectalis defects, increased bladder neck mobility, and enlargement of the hiatal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: This formative qualitative follow-up study addresses validity concerns in the Dabat Incontinence and Prolapse (DABINCOP) study, which aimed to determine the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in north-west Ethiopia. A pilot study using a questionnaire validated by pelvic exam showed severe underreporting of clinically relevant pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The objective of the follow-up study was to explore the reasons behind the underreporting and to gather information to strengthen the sensitivity and local relevance of the questionnaire to be employed in the main study.Methods: A qualitative formative study nested within the DABINCOP study was carried out in rural and semiurban communities using an interpretive approach and in-depth qualitative interviews. Women (5) who had not self-reported POP in the pilot but were diagnosed with severe prolapse after pelvic examination, and health-care workers in the research team (7) were interviewed individually within 1 year of the pilot. Systematic text condensation was used in the analysis.Results: The women explained that shame and fear of social exclusion, lack of trust in the study and data collectors, and lack of hope for cure prevented them from disclosing. The health-care workers reported weaknesses in the questionnaire and the research approach. Time pressure and competition among data collectors may have compromised women’s motivation to disclose.Conclusions: The study indicates that qualitative research may fruitfully be employed in the formative phase of an epidemiological study on sensitive reproductive health problems to enhance local relevance of the tool and overall validity of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) has a high prevalence and morbidity amongst parturient women. Women should be counselled regarding postnatal PFD. Our aim was to determine urogynaecology providers’ knowledge of risk and protective factors for postnatal PFD, and to assess their practice patterns in postnatal PFD counselling.Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to members of the European Urogynaecology Association (EUGA) and International Urogynaecology Association (IUGA). Data were collected on urogynaecology providers’ demographics, awareness of pregnancy-related PFD risk and protective factors, beliefs surrounding PFD risk-estimate tools, practice patterns in PFD counselling, and personal or spousal preferences for using caesarean section (CS) as a means of postnatal PFD prevention.Results: Overall, 372 healthcare providers responded to the survey, 84 from the EUGA and 288 from the IUGA. Most reported practicing as a urogynaecologist (67%) and or obstetrician (44%). An overwhelming majority of respondents were aware of the major risk and protective factors for PFD, and almost 60% believed that risk-estimate tools for PFD could be clinically useful. Many denied enquiring about symptoms of PFD prenatally and postnatally (33% and 25% respectively), and reported not routinely counselling on prevention of postnatal PFD (39%). Nearly 25% reported that they would prefer CS for themselves or their spouse for prevention of postnatal PFD.Conclusion: Urogynaecology providers are aware of risk and protective factors for postnatal PFD, but many fail to educate patients on the topic. The development of an easy-use risk-estimate tool for postnatal PFD could improve counselling rates in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known of the prevalence and severity of menstrual dysfunction, climacteric symptoms, pelvic floor disorders, sexual problems, and psychological wellbeing after lung transplantation in women. Materials and Methods: Adult female lung transplant recipients, attending the Alfred Hospital Lung Transplant Service in Melbourne, Australia participated in a women's health, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Results: The 123 of 149 potential participants were recruited between September 2014 and July 2015. Their median age was 53.5 years, and 44 were premenopausal, 3 perimenopausal, and 76 postmenopausal. Moderate–severe menstrual and premenstrual symptoms were common, and 43% of partnered premenopausal women were not using contraception. Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) were common in postmenopausal women <55 years (80.0%), and the use of menopausal hormone therapy was low (8.9%). The estimated prevalence of low sexual desire associated with distress was 24.4%. Low wellbeing was significantly and independently associated with being aged 50 ≤ 60 years, moderate–severe VMS, impaired forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and psychotropic medication use. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that premenopausal lung transplant recipients need to be asked about bothersome menstrual symptoms, and contraceptive compliance needs regular review. Transplant recipients at midlife have substantially lower wellbeing than women of other ages and this needs attention, including assessment and management of menopausal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the association between the anteroposterior hiatal diameter and pelvic organ prolapse and to determine whether 2‐dimensional translabial ultrasonography can evaluate hiatal ballooning by measuring the anteroposterior diameter. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 312 women seen for lower urinary tract symptoms or pelvic organ prolapse between December 2014 and July 2016. All women had an International Continence Society (ICS) Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP‐Q) system examination and 4‐dimensional translabial ultrasonography. The anteroposterior hiatal diameter was measured in the midsagittal plane, and the hiatal area was measured in the minimal axial plane during the maximal Valsalva maneuver. Results: Valid data from 294 patients were analyzed. International Continence Society POP‐Q stage 0 was found in 121 women, stage 1 in 49, stage 2 in 78, stage 3 in 42, and stage 4 in 4. The anteroposterior diameter had an excellent linear correlation (r = 0.814; P < .001) with the hiatal area during the Valsalva maneuver and was strongly related to ICS POP‐Q stages (P < .01). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis proposed a cutoff of 6.0 cm for the anteroposterior diameter against ICS POP‐Q stage 2 and higher (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 52%) and prolapse symptoms (sensitivity, 74%; specificity, 64%). Conclusions: The anteroposterior hiatal diameter, which represents hiatal distensibility in the midsagittal plane, can be used to evaluate hiatal ballooning. “Mild” ballooning was defined as an anteroposterior diameter measurement of 6.0 to less than 6.5 cm, “moderate” ballooning as 6.5 to less than 7.0 cm, and “marked” ballooning as 7.0 cm or greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article illustrates what pragmatic sociology refers to as investments in form, by examining the formats created and used by a group of surgeons to determine when elective surgery for pelvic floor disorders could be responsibly undertaken. Drawing upon ethnographic observations of surgical consultations at an academic medical centre in Canada, we show how two specific formats – that the patient is sufficiently bothered and the patient accepts the risks of surgery – allow for justifiable action in conditions of uncertainty and contingency and in light of the demands of dominant imperatives in medicine and health care, especially evidence‐based medicine (EBM). We argue that an analytic of justification is necessary for understanding when and how surgery is offered and elected for, and for considering how surgical consultations might be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) is used in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle overactivity associated with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) when conservative methods such as physiotherapy are not effective or appropriate. Traditional injection techniques require finger-guided palpation of pelvic floor muscles with concurrent insertion of the needle. The aim of this study was to describe a novel technique for the injection of BoNT-A into the pelvic floor musculature using four-dimensional ultrasound (4D-US) guidance.Methods: Thirty-one BoNT-A injections were performed using the new technique between October 2013 and January 2016, on women scheduled to have BoNT-A injection for pelvic floor muscle overactivity and CPP. The pelvic floor was assessed by 4D-US. A test injection of saline was performed to confirm location of the needle, then BoNT-A was injected into the muscle under ultrasound guidance, using 4D-US to confirm that the fluid expanded and tracked along muscle fibers.Results: The saline test confirmed correct location of the needle following a median of 1 (range, 1-3) attempt at needle placement. In all 31 instances, satisfactory injection of BoNT-A, with 4D-US confirmation of fluid expansion within the muscle body, was performed.Conclusions: Injection of BoNT-A under 4D-US guidance is feasible and allows accurate placement into the target muscle in women with pelvic floor muscle overactivity associated with CPP. This technique may provide a safer alternative to finger-guided methods, owing to a lower likelihood of operator needle-stick injury. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mild cognitive impairment and early dementia are prevalent in women seeking care for pelvic floor disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During vaginal delivery, women sustain stretching of their pelvic floor, risking tissue injury and adverse outcomes. Realistic numerical simulations of childbirth can help in the understanding of the pelvic floor mechanics and on the prevention of related disorders. In previous studies, biomechanical finite element simulations of a vaginal delivery have been performed disregarding the viscous effects present on all biological soft tissues. The inclusion of the viscoelastic behaviour is fundamental, since it allows to investigate rate‐dependent responses. The present work uses a viscohyperelastic constitutive model to evaluate how the childbirth duration affects the efforts sustained by the pelvic floor during delivery. It was concluded that viscoelasticity adds a stiffness component that leads to higher forces comparing with the elastic response. Viscous solutions are rate dependent, and precipitous labours could be associated to higher efforts, while lower reaction forces were denoted for normal and prolonged labours, respectively. The existence of resting stages during labour demonstrated the capability of the tissue to relax and recover some of the initial properties, which helped to lower the forces and stresses involved. The present work represents a step further in achieving a robust non‐invasive procedure, allowing to estimate how obstetrical factors influence labour and its outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofeedback is recommended as the first line of treatment for patients with stress or urge urinary incontinence (Fantl et al., 1996). Research supports the use of biofeedback for bowel dysfunction (Bartlett, Sloots, Nowak, & Ho, 2011). There is mounting evidence for the use of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for the use of bladder and bowel dysfunction and pelvic pain (Fox, Flynn, & Allen, 2011; Paiva & Carneiro, 2013). The following case reports demonstrate the utility of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in helping patients who suffer from bowel, bladder, and pelvic pain syndromes. Mindfulness training can be used to bring attention to how emotions and food choices have a direct impact on the gastrointestinal tract. Present moment awareness of the urinary tract functioning also improves bladder function. Noticing tension in the pelvic floor muscles helps to improve pelvic pain symptoms (Anderson, Wise, Sawyer, Glove, & Orenberg, 2011; Fox et al., 2011; Paiva & Carneiro, 2011). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We observed the effects of physical rehabilitation therapy combined with medication on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). We collected the medical records of 84 maternal patients with PFD who received treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University between May 2015 and October 2016. These patients were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n=42) and observation group (n=42). In the control group, patients received conventional physical rehabilitation therapy while in observation group, patients received the shixiao powder combined with siwu decoction in addition to the physical rehabilitation. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. The total effective rate of the observation group was 97.6%, which was significantly higher than 78.6% in the control group (P<0.05). In observation group, the index scores of pelvic floor function under rest state, such as electromyo-graphy amplitude, contraction force, coordinate strength and urine flow rate, were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The rate of Grade II perineal muscle strength in the observation group was 7.32%, which was significantly lower than 47.62% in control group (P<0.05). In observation group, the rates of Grade III and Grade IV muscle strength were respectively 43.91 and 29.26%, which were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Before the administration of treatment, there were no significant differences in the comparison of the urinary incontinence and sexual life quality of patients between the two groups (P>0.05). In observation group, after treatment, the rehabilitation effects of urinary incontinence and sexual life quality at 3 months post-delivery were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the comparison of levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) between the two groups (P>0.05), however, after treatment, the levels of CRP and IL-10 of patients in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the incidence rate of complications (7.14%) were significantly lower than that in control group (23.81%; P<0.05). Therefore, physical rehabilitation therapy combined with the shixiao powder and siwu decoction exhibits significant efficacy in the treatment of PFD by effectively improving the pelvic floor functions, increasing perineal muscle strength, and decreasing expression levels of inflammatory factors, which can significantly ameliorate life quality and reduce the incidence rate of complications. Thus, this treatment method shows great application value in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A common indication for elective caesarean is previous obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). This study aims to identify factors that influence womens' preferences regarding mode of delivery (MoD) in a subsequent pregnancy following an OASI.Methods: 100 consecutive women who sustained an OASI completed a questionnaire when attending postnatal follow up at a perineal trauma clinic. They also completed ePAQ-PF to assess pelvic floor symptoms. Data was collated and percentages generated for each response. A chi-squared calculation was used for preferred MoD.Results: In total, 75 women were Primiparous and 25 Multiparous. 20% of women were advised to have a caesarean, with the remainder advised either a vaginal delivery or further investigations. 79% of women had a 3a/3b tear and 21% of women had a 3c/4th degree OASI. Based on women's preferences, those who sustained a 3c/4th degree tear were more likely to opt for CS than a 3a/b degree tear (p<0.001). Bowel symptoms per se did not correlate with choice of MoD in either group. In women with 3c/4th OASI vaginal or sexual symptoms did not impact on the decision regarding choice of delivery but in women who sustained a 3a/b tear the impact on sexual function appears to be the commonest symptom in those who wished a caesarean section.Conclusion: Women with 3c/4th OASI are more likely to accept a planned CS. Bowel symptoms appear to have little impact on this but in women with lower grade tears sexual symptoms have the greatest impact on preferred MoD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone- based reminder system in promoting pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to help postpartum women manage urinary incontinence (UI). Methods: Forty-nine and 212 postpartum women in the intervention and control groups, respectively, received PFMT guidance using a leaflet and verbal instruction as the standard care at an obstetrics clinic in Japan. Women in the intervention group also received PFMT support using the smartphone-based reminder system between January and August 2014. For analysis, they were compared with historical controls between February 2011 and January 2012, who did not receive such support and were chosen by propensity score matching. The outcomes examined were PFMT adherence and UI prevalence. The former consisted of implementation rate (i.e., the percentage of women who reported performing PFMT during the intervention period), training intensity (i.e., the number of pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMCs) per day), and training frequency (i.e., the number of days PFMT was performed per week); the latter consisted of self-reported UI prevalence at baseline and at the end of the eight-week intervention period. Result: Propensity score matching resulted in 58 postpartum women (n = 29 per group). The intervention group exhibited better PFMT adherence than the control group, in terms of PFMT implementation rate (69 vs. 31%, pD0:008), median training intensity (15 vs. 1PFMCreps/day, pD0:006), and training frequency (7 vs. 3 days/week, p < 0:001). UI prevalence was not different between the groups at baseline, but was significantly reduced in the intervention group at eight weeks (0 vs. 24%, pD0:004). Conclusion: Our smartphone-based reminder system appears promising in enhancing PFMT adherence and managing postpartum UI in postpartum women. By enhancing PFMT adherence and improving women's ability to manage the condition, the reminder system could improve the health-related quality of life of postpartum women with UI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation ( SNM) in the treatment of faecal incontinence and concomitant urinary incontinence in women with a history of obstetric anal sphincter injury ( OASIS). Method In this prospective study, consecutive women with faecal incontinence following OASIS accepted for SNM were screened for concomitant urinary incontinence. The primary outcome was the change in urinary incontinence score on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence, Short Form ( ICIQ- UI- SF), between baseline and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the change in St Mark's score, sexual function and quality of life, change in grade of urinary incontinence and disappearance of urgency. Results From March 2012 to September 2014, 39 women with combined faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence received SNM. Thirty-seven women were available for analysis after 12 months. The mean reduction in the ICIQ- UI- SF score between the baseline and 12 months was 5.8 (95% CI 3.7-8.0, P < 0.001). ICIQ- UI- SF was reduced in 29 (78%) women, urinary incontinence resolved in 13/37 (35%, 95% CI 20%-50%) patients, and urgency disappeared in 14/33 (42%, 95% CI 26%-59%). The mean reduction in the St Mark's score was 10.6 (95% CI 8.6-12.7, P < 0.001). Disease-specific quality of life, Euroqual 5-dimension visual analogue scale ( EQ-5D VAS) and several areas of sexual function changed significantly for the better. Conclusion More than three-quarters of the women with combined faecal and urinary incontinence following OASIS reported a successful outcome with reduction in ICIQ- UI- SF at 12 months after SNM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A likely contributor to pelvic floor disorders is injury and degradation of connective tissue components such as collagen and elastin, leading to weakening of the pelvic floor. Prior studies have found similar connective tissue component changes in women with cervical insufficiency (CI). However, the connection between pelvic floor disorders and cervical insufficiency has not previously been evaluated. Our objective was to determine whether a history of cervical insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence after controlling for confounders.Study Design: The study used de-identified clinical data from a large multi-institution electronic health records HIPAA-compliant data web application, Explorys Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio, USA). Women with a history of at least one prior delivery after at least 20 weeks' gestation between the years 1999 and 2016 were identified. Logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors and adjust for confounders.Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was subsequent development of either stress incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.Results: A total of 1,182,650 women were identified, of whom 30,890 (2.6%) had a history of cervical cerclage or insufficiency. A history of cervical insufficiency was associated with an increased risk of either pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence (aOR=1.93, 95%CI: 1.84-2.02). A history of cervical insufficiency was more strongly associated with an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse (aOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.91-2.21) than with stress urinary incontinence (aOR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.80-2.02).Conclusion: A history of cervical insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of development of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary incontinence (UI) has been defined as the complaint of involuntary loss of urine. There is a general belief that UI is experienced almost exclusively by the elderly and women who have given birth. However, epidemiological studies report that young women who are nulliparous also experience UI. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies investigating the prevalence of UI in nulliparous adolescent and middle-aged women and to provide an overview of risk factors associated with UI. The electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined a priori. The selected studies were reviewed and data extraction was carried out by the reviewers. Two independent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies. Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review. UI prevalence estimates varied from 1% to 42.2%. Among the women with UI of any type, 12.5% to 79% had stress urinary incontinence. BMI, childhood enuresis, and high-impact exercising were found to be the main associated risk factors. Understanding the effect of the risk factors on the pelvic floor will enable us to implement preventive strategies and advise appropriately on the prevention of UI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]