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Urinary incontinence remains a pressing problem, particularly for women. So this study was conducted to assess risk factors for stress, urge, mixed urinary incontinence and overactive bladder (OVB). Three hundred and thirty women aged 15-49, non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding who were referred to gynecologic clinics were surveyed. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Women with no symptoms related to urinary incontinence (UI) and OVB served as the reference group. The risk of all types of UI and OVB increased with constipation. Posterior pelvic organ prolapse was associated with stress and urge incontinence. Vaginal delivery was a predictor of stress, urge and mixed incontinence. BMI and PID were predictors of OVB. Pelvic muscle strength was a predictor of stress incontinence. Vaginal length was associated with mixed incontinence. Optimal weight gain, having a healthy lifestyle, treatment of constipation and pelvic organ prolapse, and improving pelvic floor muscle strength can be suggested as preventive measures against UI and OVB. Pelvic measurement can be included in evaluation of UI.

This study was conducted to determine rate and related factors of dyspareunia. Three hundred and nineteen women aged 15-49 years were surveyed. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Pelvic examinations and connective tissue disorders were investigated. At whole 54.5% had dyspareunia. The means of gravidity, parity, delivery without episiotomy and vaginal length were more in women with dyspareunia. Heavy lifting, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, arthritis, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic muscle strength had significant relation to dyspareunia. The prevalence of urinary infection, stress incontinence, urgency, positional changes to start or complete voiding, fecal straining, low back pain, digital manipulation of vagina, perineum or anus to complete defecation, feeling genital pain or pressure and sensation of a mass in vagina was more in women with dyspareunia. These factors can be considered in the evaluation of women, to prevent those at risk and also have better management of this disorder.

Background Sexual dysfunction can have a negative impact on women’s quality of life and relationships. There is limited information about female sexual function and treatment, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on sexual function (SF) has not been studied adequately. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of antenatal PFME on female SF during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth. Methods/design This is a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial which will compare a structured antenatal PFME programme combined with standard antenatal care to standard antenatal care alone. Eligible women who are less than 22 weeks’ gestation will be recruited from the antenatal clinics of one hospital located in Western Sydney, Australia. A sample of 200 primiparous pregnant women who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised to either control or intervention groups. This sample size will allow for detecting a minimum difference of 9% in the female SF score between the two groups. The duration of the PFME programme is from approximately 20 weeks’ gestation until birth. Female SF will be measured via questionnaires at < 22 weeks’ gestation, at 36 weeks’ gestation and at 3 months following birth. Baseline characteristics, such as partner relationship and mental health, will be collected using surveys and questionnaires. Data collected for secondary outcomes include the effect of PFME on childbirth outcomes, urinary and faecal incontinence symptoms and quality of life. Discussion The findings of this study will provide more information on whether a hospital-based antenatal PFME has any effect on female SF, urinary and faecal incontinence during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth. The study will also provide information on the effectiveness of antenatal PFME on childbirth outcomes. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, ACTRN12617001030369 . Registered on 17 July 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3226-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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