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 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. Bladder
  2. Bladder Control
  3. 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]
  4. Bowel Control
  5. Common Problems With Pelvic Floor Muscles
  6. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  7. Daily Bladder Diary
  8. Do Your Pelvic Floor Exercises Daily
  9. FAQs
  10. FAQs: Pelvic Support Problems
  11. FAQs: Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  12. Fact Sheets and Downloads
  13. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
  14. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening
  15. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Talking With Your Doctor
  16. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – What Is A Urogynecologist?
  17. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
  18. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  19. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Vaginal Pessaries
  20. Glossary
  21. Helpful Organizations
  22. Intake and Voiding Diary
  23. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  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 FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urine Leakage?
  29. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  30. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  31. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  32. Pelvic Floor Disorder Awareness [+ Video]
  33. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  34. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Prevention and Non-Surgical Management [NICE guideline [NG210]]
  35. Pelvic Floor Exercises
  36. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
  37. Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video]
  38. Pelvic Floor Strength
  39. Pelvic Health Through Life: Menopause
  40. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  41. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  42. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  43. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  44. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  45. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  46. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
  47. Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
  48. Talk About “It”
  49. The Pelvic Floor
  50. The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
  51. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  52. Treatments
  53. Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Videos]
  54. Uterine Prolapse
  55. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
  56. Video Series-2023
  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. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  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: 12 July 2024
  2. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  3. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 24 March 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  5. What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  6. What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  7. What Are PFDs? Check Your PFD Risk: Life Stage – Menopause. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 12 July 2024
  8. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 12 July 2024
  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: 12 July 2024
Topic Last Updated: 12 July 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 July 2024

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