Comparison of pelvic floor muscle strength evaluations in nulliparous and primiparous women: a prospective study
Clinics
;
66(8): 1389-1394, 2011. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-598381
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to compare the pelvic floor muscle strength of nulliparous and primiparous women.METHODS:
A total of 100 women were prospectively distributed into two groups Group 1 (G1) (n = 50) included healthy nulliparous women, and Group 2 (G2) (n = 50) included healthy primiparous women. Pelvic floor muscle strength was subjectively evaluated using transvaginal digital palpation. Pelvic floor muscle strength was objectively assessed using a portable perineometer. All of the parameters were evaluated simultaneously in G1 and were evaluated in G2 during the 20th and 36th weeks of pregnancy and 45 days after delivery.RESULTS:
In G2, 14 women were excluded because they left the study before the follow-up evaluation. The median age was 23 years in G1 and 22 years in G2; there was no significant difference between the groups. The average body mass index was 21.7 kg/m² in G1 and 25.0 kg/m² in G2; there was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0004). In G2, transvaginal digital palpation evaluation showed significant impairments of pelvic floor muscle strength at the 36th week of pregnancy (p = 0.0006) and 45 days after vaginal delivery (p = 0.0001) compared to G1. Objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscle strength in G2 revealed a significant decrease 45 days after vaginal delivery compared to nulliparous patients.CONCLUSION:
Pregnancy and vaginal delivery may cause weakness of the pelvic floor muscles.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Parity
/
Pelvic Floor
/
Muscle Strength
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Language:
English
Journal:
Clinics
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
São Paulo State University/BR
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS