“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:
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:
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:

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:
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
- About Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Bladder
- Bladder Control
- 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]
- Bowel Control
- Common Problems With Pelvic Floor Muscles
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2021 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
- Daily Bladder Diary
- FAQs
- FAQs: Pelvic Support Problems
- FAQs: Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – Talking to Your Doctor
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Content – What Is A Urogynecologist?
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Fact Sheets, Patient Summaries and Downloads: Vaginal Pessaries
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Glossary
- Helpful Organizations
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
- Intake and Voiding Diary
- Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
- Lifting the Lid on Prolapse
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Pelvic Floor Disorder Awareness [+ Video]
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Prevention and Non-Surgical Management [NICE guideline [NG210]]
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
- Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video]
- Pelvic Floor Strength
- Pelvic Health Through Life: Menopause
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
- Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
- Talk About “It”
- The Pelvic Floor
- The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
- Treatments
- Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Videos]
- Uterine Prolapse
- Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]
- Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Animated Videos
- Voicesforpfd.org [Voices for Pelvic Floor Disorders]: Find A Provider
- What Are PFDs?
- Women
- Women: How Can I Find My Pelvic Floor Muscles?
- Your Pelvic Floor: The Forgotten Muscles
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- 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
- What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
- What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 24 March 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
- What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
- What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 14 January 2025
- 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
- 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
- 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