TITLE:
The Effect of Aging on Pelvic Floor Pressure Measurements in Nulliparous Women
AUTHORS:
Jonia Alshiek, Qi Wei, Mehrsa Jalalizadeh, Parag Chitnis, S. Abbas Shobeiri
KEYWORDS:
Manometry, Pelvic Floor, Nulliparous
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
11,
2020
ABSTRACT: Aims: To investigate the correlation between age and
3-dimensional pelvic floor manometry parameters, sexual function, and urinary
status in old post-menopausal versus young nulliparous women. Methods: This was a
cross-sectional study. Two groups of young (18 - 40
years) and old (52 - 85 years) nulliparous
volunteers completed Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor
Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), and Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI-19)
and underwent a 3-dimensional pelvic floor manometry. Results: The study
included 9 young participants with a mean age of 28.6, and 10 old participants
with a mean age of 61.8. All the older participants were postmenopausal and all
the young participants were premenopausal. Mean PFDI-20 score was significantly
higher in the older group: 52 ± 12 versus 4 ± 4, p= 0.001.
Urinary Distress Inventory score (UDI-6, part of PFDI questionnaire) was higher
amongst the older group: 28 ± 26 versus 3 ± 8, p= 0.006.
All young participants scored zero in their PFIQ-7 while the older participants
averaged 31 out of maximal score of 300. While sexual activity was higher in
the younger group (89% versus 60%), sexual function assessed through the
FSFI-19, was not significantly different between the two groups. Valsalva
pressures obtained from manometry measurements were significantly higher in the
older group (mean 230 mm Hg versus 161, p= 0.015). Conclusions:
Post-menopausal women have higher pelvic floor and urinary symptoms associated
with increased Valsalva pressures as measured by vaginal manometry.