[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of parity, type of
delivery, and physical activity level on pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women.
[Subjects and Methods] This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study with a
sample of 100 postmenopausal women, aged between 45 and 65 years, divided into three
groups according to menopausal stage: hysterectomized and early and late postmenopause.
Patients were assessed for sociodemographic and gyneco-obstetric factors and subjected to
a muscle strength test and perineometry. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and
multiple regression were applied. [Results] The results showed homogeneity in
sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. There was no difference in pelvic
floor muscle function among the three groups. Type of delivery, parity and physical
activity level showed no influence on muscle function. [Conclusion] The findings
demonstrate that parity, type of delivery, and physical activity level had no influence on
pelvic floor muscle pressure in postmenopausal women. One hypothesis to explain these
results is the fact that the decline in muscle function in postmenopausal women is related
to the female aging process.
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