Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Management: Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The pelvic floor is a complex, multilayered group of muscles and surrounding tissue that are suspended like a hammock between the pubic bone in front and the base of the spinal column in the back. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a disorder predominantly affecting females. It is common and affects the quality of lives at least one-third of adult women and is a growing component of women’s health care needs. At present, pelvic floor dysfunction is becoming a major problem during the whole process of childbirth. A study was conducted and shows that the overall prevalence of post-natal urinary incontinence is 6–32% and fecal incontinence is 13–25%. Hence, pelvic floor dysfunction can have a devastating effect on women’s life. Pelvic floor dysfunction causes many changes, physically and mentally. Hence, prevention is better than cure. Maintaining healthy pelvic floor muscles by doing pelvic floor muscle exercise will prevent the risk of disease. Hence, the nurse-midwife plays a key role within the multidisciplinary team to help improve the quality of life for women by offering conservative management and prophylactic measures during the post-natal period to prevent complications. Although puerperium is a natural physiological process, it should be recognized as a challenge to prevent complications during puerperium. Health care workers help the woman to adapt with home care management to prevent complications so, that the woman will be better equipped to prevent the complications. This article proposes definitions, causes, types, symptoms, effects, preventive measures, and management of pelvic floor dysfunction.