Open AccessPelvic Floor Dysfunction in the Female Athlete
Author(s) -
Kaina Louis-Charles,
Kristin Biggie,
Ainsly Wolfinbarger,
Becky Wilcox,
Carolyn M. Kienstra
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
current sports medicine reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.424
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1537-8918
pISSN - 1537-890X
DOI - 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000563
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic floor dysfunction , fecal incontinence , urinary incontinence , pelvic floor , sexual dysfunction , pelvic pain , physical therapy , athletes , presentation (obstetrics) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a term used to describe a variety of disorders involving moderate to severe impairment of the pelvic floor muscles. It can be divided into two broad categories. Relaxing PFD is more common, presenting with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse. Nonrelaxing PFD symptoms include impaired ability to evacuate urine or stool, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. Unfamiliarity with this diagnosis among medical providers along with nonspecific symptoms often lead to a delayed or missed diagnosis for patients. Here, we present the case of a collegiate soccer player with PFD to illustrate the severity of presentation and progression of this disorder. We review the current literature regarding nonrelaxing PFD and all types of PFD in female athletes to raise awareness and recognition of this condition.