Pelvic Floor Disorders

On this page

Pelvic Floor Anatomy & Physiology - Pelvic Powerhouse

Pelvic floor muscles and hiatuses

  • Core Structures:
    • Pelvic Diaphragm: Main support layer.
      • Levator ani muscles (📌 PRI: Puborectalis, Pubococcygeus, Iliococcygeus).
      • Coccygeus muscle.
    • Urogenital Diaphragm: Contains external urethral sphincter.
    • Fascia: Endopelvic fascia (provides visceral support).
    • Innervation:
      • Pudendal nerve (S2, S3, S4): Key for sphincter control & perineal sensation.
      • Direct sacral branches (S3, S4) to levator ani.
  • Key Functions:
    • Supports pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum).
    • Maintains urinary and fecal continence.
    • Aids in defecation, micturition, parturition, sexual function.
  • Clinical Landmark: Perineal body - central fibrous anchor point.

⭐ The pudendal nerve (S2, S3, S4) is the primary motor and sensory nerve to the perineum, including the external anal and urethral sphincters.

Types of Pelvic Floor Disorders - Droops, Drips & Blocks

Pelvic floor dysfunction manifests as:

  • "Droops": Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) - organ descent.
  • "Drips": Urinary Incontinence (UI) - involuntary urine leakage.
  • "Blocks": Obstructive symptoms (e.g., voiding dysfunction, constipation).

Urinary Incontinence (UI) Types:

TypeMechanismKey Symptoms
StressUrethral hypermobility, Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency (ISD)Involuntary leakage on effort, exertion, cough, sneeze
UrgeDetrusor overactivitySudden, intense urge to urinate; often with leakage
MixedCombination of Stress & UrgeFeatures of both stress and urge incontinence
OverflowDetrusor underactivity / Bladder Outlet Obstruction (BOO)Constant dribbling, weak stream, incomplete bladder emptying
Prolapse TypeDescriptionInvolved Structure(s)
CystoceleAnterior vaginal wall prolapse (bladder)Bladder into vagina
RectocelePosterior vaginal wall prolapse (rectum)Rectum into vagina
EnteroceleApical prolapse (small bowel herniation)Small bowel into vagina
UterineApical prolapse (uterus descent)Uterus into/out of vagina
VaultApical prolapse (vaginal cuff post-hysterectomy)Vaginal apex descent

Uterine Prolapse Diagram

⭐ Stress urinary incontinence is the most common type, characterized by involuntary leakage on effort or exertion, such as coughing or sneezing.

Clinical Evaluation & Diagnosis - Decoding the Descent

⭐ The POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification) system is the standardized, objective method for describing and staging pelvic organ prolapse.

  • History: Focus on symptoms (fecal incontinence (FI), obstructed defecation (ODS), bulge, pain), obstetric/surgical history.
  • Physical Exam:
    • Inspection: Perineal descent during Valsalva.
    • Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Resting/squeeze tone, puborectalis paradox.
    • POP-Q Assessment: For prolapse staging. 📌 Key points: Aa, Ba, C, D, Gh, Pb, TVL, Ap, Bp. POP-Q system anatomical points and measurements
  • Key Investigations:
    • Anorectal Manometry: Assesses sphincter pressures (e.g., resting pressure <40 mmHg suggests weakness).
    • Defecography (Barium/MR): Evaluates dynamic anorectal function, rectoceles, intussusception.
    • Endoanal Ultrasound (EAUS): Visualizes sphincter defects.

Management of Pelvic Floor Disorders - Repair & Restore Roundup

  • Conservative First:

    • PFMT (Kegels), lifestyle (weight ↓, bladder train).
    • Pessaries: For POP & SUI.
  • Medical Options:

    • OAB: Anticholinergics (Oxybutynin 2.5-5mg), Mirabegron (25-50mg).
    • SUI: Duloxetine (limited).
  • Surgical Interventions:

    • Table: PFD Management Approaches

      DisorderConservativeSurgical Options
      Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)PFMT, pessaryMUS (TVT/TOT), Burch, bulking agents
      Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)PFMT, pessaryRepair (ant/post), Apical (sacrocolpopexy), Colpocleisis
      Fecal Incontinence (FI)Diet, PFMT, biofeed.Sphincteroplasty, SNS

    Mid-urethral sling procedure illustration

⭐ Pelvic floor muscle training (Kegel exercises) is the first-line conservative treatment for stress urinary incontinence and early-stage pelvic organ prolapse.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Rectal prolapse: True full-thickness protrusion. Altemeier for frail, abdominal rectopexy for fit.
  • Fecal incontinence: Anal manometry & EMG for diagnosis. Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) for refractory cases.
  • Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS): Biofeedback is first-line. STARR procedure for selected anatomical defects.
  • Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS): Linked to straining, internal intussusception. Conservative management is primary.
  • Anismus: Paradoxical puborectalis contraction; biofeedback is mainstay treatment.
  • Rectocele: Symptomatic anterior rectal wall herniation; may require surgical repair.

Practice Questions: Pelvic Floor Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which muscle is a key component of the pelvic diaphragm?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Pelvic Floor Disorders

1/10

What is the investigation of choice for anal canal CA?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

What is the investigation of choice for anal canal CA?_____

Proctoscopy with biopsy

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial