Pelvic Floor Disorders

“The onset of menopause can cause your pelvic floor muscles – just like the rest of the muscles in your body – to weaken. These muscles support the pelvic organs…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Pelvic Floor Disorders Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cystocele
  • Enterocele
  • Pelvic Floor Disorder (PFD)
  • Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
  • Pelvic Prolapse
  • Pelvic Support Problems
  • Prolapse
  • Rectocele
  • Weak Pelvic Floor

Pelvic Floor Disorder

What is a pelvic floor disorder (PFD)?

DotS the definition of a PFD may vary. The (United States) Voices for PFD’s definition is:

“Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are a group of conditions that affect the pelvic floor”.2

Pelvic Floor

What is the pelvic floor?

DotS the definition of the pelvic floor may vary. In What Are PDFs? Voices for PFD’s definition is:

“The pelvic floor includes the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis. It supports your organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. The pelvic floor prevents these organs from falling down or out of your body. It also helps the organs function properly”.3

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?

DotS the definition of a POP may vary. In Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

“Pelvic organ prolapse is when 1 or more of the organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina.

It can be the womb (uterus), bowel, bladder or top of the vagina”.4

Cause

What causes PFDs?

In What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD explain:

“In general, a pelvic floor disorder is due to weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue. A damaged pelvic floor cannot continue to provide the support that your organs need to work effectively. As this structure weakens, normal functioning of the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum can be affected.

There are many causes of PFDs. In addition, research is ongoing. Some of the reasons women develop PFDs are better understood than other reasons. There is a strong need for continued research in this field”.5

Common or Not

How common are PFDs?

In What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD note:

Pelvic Floor Disorders“One out of four women (25%) 20 years or older suffer with PFDs. Most struggle with one or more PFDs—POP, urinary incontinence (UI), and fecal incontinence (FI—also called anal incontinence or accidental bowel leakage)”.6

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and PFDs?

Voices for PFD explain:

“The pelvic floor muscles often weaken during menopause, which can lead to the development of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).7

In Who’s At Risk? Menopause the Continence Foundation of Australia’s Pelvic Floor First elaborate on:

Pelvic Floor Disorders“The onset of menopause can cause your pelvic floor muscles – just like the rest of the muscles in your body – to weaken. These muscles support the pelvic organs, which means that the weakening of these muscles can result in pelvic floor problems. Reduced pelvic floor muscle function around the time of menopause can also be due to weight gain, which is common during menopause.

Other contributing factors may include:

  • A less elastic bladder
  • Anal trauma resulting from childbirth
  • Chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma which can cause bladder or bowel control problems”.8

Health Care Provider

Does PFD go away on its own?

In Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Outlook / Prognosis – Does Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Go Away on Its Own? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Unfortunately, no. Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms (like an overactive bladder) typically stay or become worse if they’re not treated. Pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable, but you’ll need to see a provider who can diagnose and treat the symptoms”.9

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Pelvic Floor Disorders?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Pelvic Floor Disorders?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. About Pelvic Floor Disorders
  2. Bladder
  3. Bladder Control
  4. Bladder Issues Common for Women of All Ages [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Olivia Cardenas-Trowers, M.D./Gynecology/Mayo Clinic]
  5. Bowel Control
  6. Common Problems With Pelvic Floor Muscles
  7. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2021 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  9. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  10. Daily Bladder Diary
  11. FAQs
  12. FAQs: Pelvic Support Problems
  13. FAQs: Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  14. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads
  15. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
  16. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – Talking to Your Doctor
  17. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – What Is A Urogynecologist?
  18. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
  19. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  20. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Vaginal Pessaries
  21. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  22. Glossary
  23. Helpful Organizations
  24. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
    Pelvic Floor Disorders
  25. Intake and Voiding Diary
  26. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  27. Lifting the Lid on Prolapse
  28. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
  29. Menopause
  30. Menopause
  31. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  32. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  33. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  34. Pelvic Floor Disorder Awareness [+ Video]
  35. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  36. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Prevention and Non-Surgical Management [NICE guideline [NG210]]
  37. Pelvic Floor Exercises
  38. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
  39. Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
  40. Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women
  41. Pelvic Floor Strength
  42. Pelvic Health Through Life: Menopause
  43. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  44. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  45. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  46. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  47. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  48. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  49. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
  50. Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
  51. Talk About “It”
  52. The Pelvic Floor
  53. The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
  54. Treatments
  55. Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Videos]
  56. Uterine Prolapse
  57. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  58. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Animated Videos
  59. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Find A Provider
  60. What Are PFDs?
  61. What Is A Pelvic Organ Prolapse Look Like
  62. Women
  63. Women: How Can I Find My Pelvic Floor Muscles?
  64. Your Pelvic Floor: The Forgotten Muscles

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 14 January 2025
  2. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  3. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 24 March 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  5. What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  6. What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  7. What Are PFDs? Check Your PFD Risk: Life Stage – Menopause. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
  8. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 14 January 2025
  9. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Outlook / Prognosis – Does Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Go Away on Its Own? Last Reviewed: 12 January 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14459-pelvic-floor-dysfunction Accessed: 14 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 28 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 January 2025

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