Outcomes of a comprehensive nonsurgical approach to pelvic floor rehabilitation for urinary symptoms, defecatory dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

OBJECTIVE

The authors' intent was to determine the clinical efficacy of comprehensive pelvic floor rehabilitation among women with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of women referred to an academic female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery practice for PFD. Data were gathered from the records of 778 women referred for pelvic floor therapy for urinary, bowel, pelvic pain, and sexual symptoms over the course of 4 years.

RESULTS

Patients who completed at least 5 therapy sessions reported a mean symptom improvement of 80% in each of the 3 main categories analyzed, namely, urinary incontinence, defecatory dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive, nonoperative management of PFD including pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, electrogalvanic stimulation, constipation management, behavioral modification, incontinence devices, and pharmacotherapy including vaginal estrogen is effective in the treatment of women with PFD.