In humans, the pelvic floor skeletal muscles support the viscera. Damage to innervation of these muscles during parturition may contribute to pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, animal models that are suitable for studying parturition-induced pelvic floor neuropathy and its treatment are rare. The present study describes the intrapelvic skeletal muscles (i.e., the ili...

MRI has been used in the diagnostic evaluation of the pelvic floor dysfunctions. Static images show their morphology while dynamic images show the functional changes that occur on straining and contraction of the levator ani. With dynamic images, displacement of organs and pelvic floor muscles can be computed in three planes (axial, sagital and coronal) [1]. The purpose of this study is to comp...

AIM To assess the reproducibility of pelvic floor biometric parameters by translabial three-dimensional ultrasound compared with the OmniView® reformatting technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study involving 47 nulliparous women without symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. The hiatal area and right pubovisceral muscle width measurements were performed in the axial ...

INTRODUCTION Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress and urgency urinary incontinence, and faecal incontinence, are common and arise from loss of pelvic support. Although severe disease often does not occur until women become older, pregnancy and childbirth are major risk factors for PFDs, especially POP. We understand little about modifiable factors that im...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT) is effective at improving pelvic floor muscles strength in women with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was designed as a randomized clinical trial. 43 women with SUI were randomly assigned in two groups; WBVT and Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) and received interventions for four weeks. P...

A relationship between sport or fitness activities and urinary incontinence (UI) previously has been described in women. We report our preliminary experience with the use of a complete pelvic floor rehabilitation program in three female athletes affected by UI. The athletes were submitted to a combined pelvic floor rehabilitation program, including biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation...