Comparison of pelvic floor muscle strength evaluations in nulliparous and primiparous women: a prospective study

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.

Urinary incontinence related to perineal muscle strength in the first trimester of pregnancy: cross-sectional study

“…In this study, the average (8.2; SD = 3.9) and the median (8) of the ICIQ-SF score showed values that were compatible with moderate impact on the quality of life of pregnant women with UI, considering the classification into four categories of severity: light (1-5), moderate (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12), heavy (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) and very heavy (19)(20)(21) (28) .…”

“…La FMSP fue evaluada por la perineometría y las mujeres embarazadas con incontinencia urinaria (IU) respondieron al International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Resultados: Muestran que edad materna (OR=1,06 IC95% 1,02-1,11) y IU previa (OR=15,12; IC95% 8,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)92) son las variables que, en conjunto, mejor explican la ocurrencia de IU al inicio del embarazo. La media del escore ICIQ-SF fue 8,2 (d.p.=3,9), considerado como de impacto moderado en la calidad de vida.…”

“…Studies that use these instruments show conflicting results in regard to the preservation or decrease of PFMS during pregnancy and after birth (10)(11)(12) ; however, decrease in PFMS has been pointed out as a predictor of UI (13)(14) .…”

Is there correlation between electromyography and digital palpation as means of measuring pelvic floor muscle contractility in nulliparous, pregnant, and postpartum women?

“…Digital palpation has been used in clinical practice although many researchers consider it unreliable, subjective, and not sensitive 8, 9. Several authors researched its correlation with other methods considered as objective, nevertheless its reproducibility remains questionable 8–12…”

Força muscular perineal e incontinência urinária e anal na gestação: estudo de coorte

“…Oliveira et al (2013) (Sangswang, 2014;Frederice, Amaral, Ferreira, 2013;Wesnes, Lose, 2014;Baracho et al, 2012;Hilde et al, 2012). Por sua vez, a gestação favorece a diminuição da FMAP, explicando, em parte, a maior incidência e prevalência de IU nesse período (Elenskaia et al, 2011;Gameiro et al, 2011;Fritel et al, 2012).…”