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 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 Pelvic Support Problems: Summary the (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that form a sling or hammock across the pelvis. In women, it holds the uterus, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs in place so that they can work properly”.3

Prolapse

What is prolapse?

Dots the definition of prolapse may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“Prolapse is caused by a stretching of the ligaments and muscles that support the pelvic organs, causing those organs to drop down. The word prolapse literally means to ‘fall out of place’”.4

In Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? Types of Prolapse [+ Image] the JH elaborate on:

“There are different types of prolapse including:

  • Vaginal prolapse…
  • Uterine prolapse…
  • Bladder prolapse (also called cystocele)…
  • Bowel prolapse (also called retrocele)…”.5

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”.6

Cause

What causes PFDs?

The MedlinePlus note:

“The pelvic floor can become weak or be injured. The main causes are pregnancy and childbirth. Other causes include being overweight, radiation treatment, surgery, and getting older”.7

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”.8

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)”.9

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).10

In Who’s At Risk? Menopause the (Australian) 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”.11

Postmenopause

Is there an association between postmenopause and PFDs?

The JH explain:

“Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to prolapse. The trigger is a loss of oestrogen during menopause. This hormone helps to keep the pelvic floor muscles, which support the vagina and bladder, well toned. Once oestrogen levels drop after menopause, these muscles become thinner, weaker and less elastic. The vaginal skin may also stretch, which may allow the bladder or bowel to bulge into the vagina”.12

Management and Treatment

What can women do for the management and treatment of PFDs?

In Prolapse: Management & Treatment the JH elaborate on:

Pelvic Floor Disorders

“Without intervention, the symptoms of prolapse usually worsen over time. However, there is a lot you can do to improve the symptoms”.13

The JH also explain:

“Treatment will depend on the severity of the prolapse and the degree it interferes with a woman’s lifestyle. In some women, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and modifying daily activities may be all that is required”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have a PFD?

If you think you have a PFD, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page one in First Visit With A Urogynecologist: Helpful Tips To Prepare You for Your First Visit Voices for PFD provide a checklist “designed to help you get organized and optimize your consultation” and explain:

“It pays to be prepared for every doctor’s visit. The more your doctor knows about your past medical and surgical history, your daily medications and how all of the organs of your pelvis are working, the better they can diagnose and develop a customized treatment plan for your bothersome symptoms”.15

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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.

  1. 5 Common Bladder Myths Busted
  2. Archives: Videos – Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  3. Are Your Ready To Clinch for A Cause?: #PelvicFloorFace #PelvicFloorFace
  4. Bladder Control
  5. Bowel Control
  6. Common Problems With Pelvic Floor Muscles
  7. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  8. Daily Bladder Diary
  9. Do Your Pelvic Floor Exercises Daily
  10. FAQs
  11. Fact Sheets and Downloads
  12. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
  13. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening
  14. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Talking With Your Doctor
  15. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – What Is A Urogynecologist?
  16. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
  17. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  18. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Vaginal Pessaries
  19. Find A Provider
  20. For Better Sex: 3 Ways To Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
  21. Glossary
  22. Helpful Organizations
  23. Intake and Voiding Diary
  24. Lifting the Lid on Prolapse
  25. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
  26. Menopause
  27. Menopause
  28. Menopause
  29. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does menopause cause urine leakage?
  30. NICE Says Non-Surgical Options Should Be Offered First for Stress Urinary Incontinence or Pelvic Organ Prolapse [NICE = National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, United Kingdom]
  31. Pelvic Floor Disorders
  32. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  33. Pelvic Floor Exercises
  34. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
  35. Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video]
  36. Pelvic Floor Services In the UK Need To Change. Urgent Action Is Needed To Address Inequalities In Care and Improve Outcomes for People With Pelvic Floor Disorders [United Kingdom]
  37. Pelvic Floor Strength
  38. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  39. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  40. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  41. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  42. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  43. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  44. Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) [+ Image]
  45. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
  46. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [Videos]
  47. Pelvic Support Problems
  48. Prolapse
  49. Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
  50. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? [+ Image]
  51. Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: FAQ
  52. Talk About “It”
  53. The Pelvic Floor [+ Image]
  54. The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
  55. Treatments
  56. Uterine Prolapse
  57. Video Series 2019 – Physical Therapy In the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction
  58. Video Series-2021 – Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  59. Videos
  60. Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]
  61. What Are PFDs?
  62. What Happens When You See A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist or Endocrinologist?
  63. Women
  64. Women: How Can I Find My Pelvic Floor Muscles?
  65. Women’s Wellness: Are You Doing Your Kegels?
  66. Women’s Wellness: Regenerative Solution for Mesh Exposure After Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

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: 01 June 2021
  2. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  3. Pelvic Floor Disorders: Summary. Page Last Updated on: 12 April 2021. Topic Last Reviewed: 05 August 2016. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pelvicsupportproblems.html Accessed: 01 June 2021
  4. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? Last Updated: 30 November 2020 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness Accessed: 01 June 2021
  5. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? Types of Prolapse. Last Updated: 30 November 2020 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  6. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 07 August 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  7. Pelvic Floor Disorders: Summary. Page Last Updated on: 12 April 2021. Topic Last Reviewed: 05 August 2016. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pelvicsupportproblems.html Accessed: 01 June 2021
  8. What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  9. What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  10. What Are PFDs? Check Your PFD Risk: Life Stage – Menopause. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  11. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 01 June 2021
  12. Prolapse: Risk Factors for Prolapse – Postmenopausal Women. Last Updated: 30 November 2020 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness/ Accessed: 01 June 2021
  13. Prolapse: Management & Treatment. Last Updated: 30 November 2020 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness Accessed: 01 June 2021
  14. Prolapse: Management & Treatment. Last Updated: 30 November 2020 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness Accessed: 01 June 2021
  15. First Visit With A Urogynecologist: Helpful Tips to Prepare You for Your First Visit. Page 1. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/assets/2/6/First_Visit_with_a_Urogyn.pdf Accessed: 01 June 2021

Topic Last Updated: 03 September 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 June 2021
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