Long-term effects of pelvic floor muscle training with vaginal cone in post-menopausal women with urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aims: The findings are limited about the long-term effects of treatment with vaginal cones in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of vaginal cones and pelvic floor muscle training in post-menopausal women with SUI.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 45 post-menopausal women with SUI. They were randomly allocated in three groups: vaginal cones (VC, n = 15), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT, n = 15), and control group (CG, n = 15). Women in VC and PFMT groups were treated for 6 weeks with twice weekly sessions. Women in VC group carried out the pelvic floor muscle strengthening with vaginal cones. The CG did not receive any treatment during the corresponding time. Women were evaluated before treatment, at the end, 3 and 12 months after treatment completion for primary outcome (urinary leakage) and secondary outcomes (pelvic floor muscle strength, quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and continuity of training).

Results: There was a significant decrease of urinary leakage in the VC and PFMT group comparing values at the end of treatment, 3 and 12 months to baseline values. There were no differences between VC and PFMT group in primary outcome in any evaluations.

Conclusions: Treatments with and without vaginal cones can promote positive long-term effects on urinary leakage, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life in post-menopausal women with SUI in 6 weeks.