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Impact of vulvovaginal atrophy on pelvic floor muscle strength in healthy continent women
Author(s) -
Sartori Dulcegleika VB,
Gameiro Monica O,
Kawano Paulo R,
Yamamoto Hamilto A,
Guerra Rodrigo,
Domingues Maria AC,
Leitão Victor ASS,
Amaro João L
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/iju.13788
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic floor , pelvic floor muscle , atrophy , vagina , electromyography , gynecology , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Objectives To assess the correlation between hormonal status and pelvic floor muscle strength. Methods A total of 140 continent women were prospectively evaluated, and divided into four groups according to age: group 1 ( n = 34) aged 30–40 years; group 2 ( n = 38) aged 41–50 years; group 3 ( n = 35) aged 51–60; and group 4 ( n = 33) aged >60 years. The following parameters were evaluated: demographic data using clinical questionnaire; hypermobility of the bladder neck using swab test; vaginal trophism by gynecological examination; hormonal status of the vagina by cytology; and pelvic floor muscle strength using a perineometer and electromyography. Results There were no statistical differences between pelvic floor muscle strength, demographic characteristics, vaginal trophism and hypermobility of the bladder neck between groups ( P > 0.05). There was a larger number of women with vaginal atrophy among those aged >60 years. Vaginal trophism assessed by pelvic examination was highly consistent with the findings of colpocytology (kappa test = 0.888). Electromyography showed that women with hypermobility had lower muscle resistance (endurance) when compared with those without hypermobility. Conclusions Although vaginal atrophy is more intense in women aged >60 years, no difference can be found in the pelvic floor muscle strength during the physiological aging process in continent women. As a consequence, trophism is not the only factor related to pelvic floor muscle strength, and it should not preclude the selection of patients who are referred to prophylaxis.