In a nutshell
This study compared outcomes of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) between postpartum (PP – after childbirth) and non-postpartum (non-PP) women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI – leakage of urine). The study found that PFMT benefited PP women more than non-PP women.
Some background
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common problem among women. PFMT aims to strengthen the muscles around the bladder that may weaken in childbirth. It is necessary to research if this benefits PP women more than non-PP women.
Methods & findings
54 women were recruited in the postpartum group and 79 women were recruited in the non-postpartum group.
A physiotherapist treated both groups twice a week for 6-8 weeks. Pelvic floor function was tested at the start of the treatment, after 6 months, and after 12 months. The 1hr pad weight test was used to measure the amount of SUI urine leakage.
There was 87% improvement in the pad test in the PP group after 1 year. There was 72.1% improvement in the pad test in the non-PP group after 1 year.
Weight loss and increasing pelvic floor muscle strength increased improvement in SUI symptoms.
The bottom line
The study concluded that PFMT was more effective in PP women with SUI than non-PP women.
The fine print
The study did not include home exercises which may have been carried out by the participants.
What’s next?
If you have recently given birth, talk to your doctor about PFMT to treat SUI.
Published By :
Neurourology and urodynamics
Date :
Dec 11, 2017
