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

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?

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”.7

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)”.8

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).9

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”.10

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”.11

Management and Treatment

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

In Prolapse: Management & Treatment the JH elaborate on:

“Without intervention, the symptoms of prolapse usually worsen over time. However, there is a lot you can do to improve the symptoms”.12

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”.13

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”.14

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 Control
  2. 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]
  3. Bowel Control
  4. Common Problems With Pelvic Floor Muscles
  5. Continence.org.au [Continence Foundation of Australia]
  6. Daily Bladder Diary
  7. Do Your Pelvic Floor Exercises Daily
  8. FAQs
  9. FAQs: Pelvic Support Problems
  10. Fact Sheets and Downloads
  11. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – First Visit With A Urogynecologist
  12. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening
  13. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Talking With Your Doctor
  14. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – What Is A Urogynecologist?
  15. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Bladder Training
  16. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  17. Fact Sheets and Downloads: Fact Sheets – Vaginal Pessaries
  18. For Better Sex: 3 Ways To Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
  19. Glossary
  20. Helpful Organizations
  21. Intake and Voiding Diary
  22. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  23. Lifting the Lid on Prolapse
  24. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
  25. Menopause
  26. Menopause
  27. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. Does Menopause Cause Urine Leakage?
  28. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  29. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  30. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  31. Pelvic Floor Disorder Awareness [+ Video]
  32. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  33. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Prevention and Non-Surgical Management [NICE guideline [NG210]]
  34. Pelvic Floor Exercises
  35. Pelvic Floor Exercises: Pelvic Floor Exercises [+ Podcast + Video]
  36. Pelvic Floor Muscles In Women [+ Video]
  37. Pelvic Floor Strength
  38. Pelvic Health Through Life: Menopause
  39. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  40. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  41. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  42. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  43. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  44. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  45. Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Video]
  46. Prolapse
  47. Prolapse: Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse
  48. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? [+ Image]
  49. Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: FAQ
  50. Talk About “It”
  51. The Pelvic Floor
  52. The Pelvic Floor Society [United Kingdom]
  53. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  54. Treatments
  55. Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse [+ Videos]
  56. Uterine Prolapse
  57. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
  58. Video Series-2023
  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. What Are PFDs?
  63. What Happens When You See A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist or Endocrinologist?
  64. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  65. Women
  66. Women: How Can I Find My Pelvic Floor 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: 05 September 2023
  2. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  3. What Are PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  4. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | 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: 05 September 2023
  5. Prolapse: What Is Prolapse? Types of Prolapse. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  6. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 24 March 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  7. What Are PFDs? What Causes PFDs? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  8. What Are PFDs? Am I At Risk? Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  9. What Are PFDs? Check Your PFD Risk: Life Stage – Menopause. Voices for PFD https://www.voicesforpfd.org/about/what-are-pfds/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  10. Who’s At Risk? Menopause. Pelvic Floor First https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/going-through-menopause-or-post-menopausal.html Accessed: 05 September 2023
  11. Prolapse: Risk Factors for Prolapse – Postmenopausal Women. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 04 August 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bladder-bowel/prolapse-bladder-weakness/ Accessed: 05 September 2023
  12. Prolapse: Management & Treatment. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | 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: 05 September 2023
  13. Prolapse: Management & Treatment. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | 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: 05 September 2023
  14. 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: 05 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 05 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 05 September 2023

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