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. In What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor: What Are Pelvic Floor Disorders? the (United States) FDA’s Office of Women’s Health (Food and Drug Administration) definition is:

“Pelvic floor disorders (PFD) occur when the muscles or tissues of the pelvic area become weakened or injured. This can happen because of childbirth, obesity, age, genetics, and other factors. These conditions affect approximately 1 in 4 women at some point in their lives. Some common PFDs to be aware of include:

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • urinary Incontinence (UI)
  • Fecal Incontinence
  • Pelvic Pain”.2

Pelvic Floor

What is the pelvic floor?

DotS the definition of the pelvic floor may vary. In What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor: Where Is the Pelvic Floor and Why Does It Matter for Women? the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health definition is:

“The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus—and in women—the uterus, cervix, and vagina. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control. These muscles also help maintain sexual function. When the muscles of the pelvic floor become weak, tight, or don’t work properly, pelvic floor disorders (PFD) may occur”.3
Pelvic Floor Disorders

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? (United States) 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:

“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:

“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: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  8. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  9. Daily Bladder Diary
  10. FAQs
  11. FAQs: Pelvic Support Problems
  12. FAQs: Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  13. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads
  14. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
  15. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – Talking to Your Doctor
  16. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – What Is A Urogynecologist?
  17. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
  18. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  19. Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Vaginal Pessaries
  20. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  21. Glossary
  22. Helpful Organizations
  23. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
    Pelvic Floor Disorders
  24. Intake and Voiding Diary
  25. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  26. Lifting the Lid on Prolapse
  27. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
  28. Menopause
  29. Menopause
  30. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  31. Midlife Weight Gain
    Pelvic Floor Disorders
  32. National Women’s Health Week [11 — 17 May 2025]: Navigating the Road to Menopause
  33. National Women’s Health Week (NWHW): From the FDA Office of Women’s Health
    Pelvic Floor Disorders
  34. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  35. Pelvic Floor Disorder Awareness [+ Video]
  36. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  37. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Prevention and Non-Surgical Management [NICE guideline [NG210]]
  38. Pelvic Floor Exercises
  39. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
  40. Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
  41. Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women
  42. Pelvic Floor Strength
  43. Pelvic Health Through Life: Menopause
  44. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  45. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  46. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  47. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  48. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  49. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  50. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  51. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
  52. Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
  53. Talk About “It”
  54. The Pelvic Floor
  55. The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
  56. Treatments
  57. Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Videos]
  58. Uterine Prolapse
  59. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  60. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Animated Videos
  61. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Find A Provider
  62. Webinars: Previous – The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  63. What Are PFDs?
  64. What Is A Pelvic Organ Prolapse Look Like
  65. Women
  66. Women: How Can I Find My Pelvic Floor Muscles?
  67. Your Pelvic Floor: The Forgotten Muscles
  68. What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor [07 May 2025]

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: 11 May 2025
  2. What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor: What Are Pelvic Floor Disorders? 07 May 2025. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health https://www.fda.gov/consumers/knowledge-and-news-women-owh-blog/what-women-need-know-about-their-pelvic-floor Accessed: 11 May 2025
  3. What Women Need To Know About Their Pelvic Floor: Where Is the Pelvic Floor and Why Does It Matter for Women? 07 May 2025. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health https://www.fda.gov/consumers/knowledge-and-news-women-owh-blog/what-women-need-know-about-their-pelvic-floor Accessed: 11 May 2025
  4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 24 March 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 11 May 2025
  5. What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 11 May 2025
  6. What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 11 May 2025
  7. What Are PFDs? Check Your PFD Risk: Life Stage – Menopause. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 11 May 2025
  8. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 11 May 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: 11 May 2025
Topic Last Updated: 11 May 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 May 2025

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