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Changes in urogenital anatomy of post‐menopausal women
Author(s) -
Tate Susan B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a136-b
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , pelvic floor , genitourinary system , asymptomatic , fecal incontinence , population , pelvic floor dysfunction , obstructed defecation , sexual dysfunction , stress incontinence , defecation , vagina , gynecology , surgery , anatomy , environmental health
Changes in urogenital anatomy in aging women are common and with the changing demographics of the world's population will result in even more women being affected. The United States Census Bureau has projected that the number of American women aged 65 and over will double in the next 25 years, to more than 40 million women by 2030. The demand for health care services related to pelvic floor disorders has been estimated to increase at twice the rate of the population itself. The changes that occur can result in the development of pelvic floor disorders manifest as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary, defecatory, and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic organ prolapse including anterior, posterior and apical vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, and enterocele encompass a range of disorders from mild altered vaginal anatomy which is completely asymptomatic to complete vaginal eversion with associated severe dysfunction including urinary frequency, hesitancy, incomplete bladder emptying, urgency, urge incontinence, and stress urinary incontinence and defecatory difficulties such as excessive straining, incomplete rectal emptying, sometimes requiring the need for perineal or vaginal pressure to accomplish defecation. Some women may have fecal soiling or incontinence due to altered anatomy with prolapse and or anal defects. Sexual functioning can also be affected by anatomical changes. Knowledge of the changes in anatomy, the symptoms resulting and that effective therapy is available for these conditions will help future physicians provide better care for our aging population.