Risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction: Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management

Excerpt

It is recognised that many women develop symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction during or after pregnancy and childbirth. These symptoms are often perceived by women as a normal consequence of childbirth and they may not seek help.

Currently there is no guidance on identifying those women at greatest risk so that they could be offered interventions to prevent development or progression of pelvic floor dysfunction in relation to pregnancy. Women identified to have risk factors before embarking on a pregnancy may benefit from making lifestyle changes that could improve symptoms or prevent them from developing them.

Other women may develop symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction without being exposed to the risk factors associated with pregnancy and childbirth. There is also no current guidance regarding the women who are at greatest risk of pelvic floor dysfunction or the interventions that could reduce that risk. Women with risk factors would benefit from information on lifestyle changes and advice about other healthcare decisions that could prevent or reduce the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.