Influence of parity, type of delivery, and physical activity level on pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 824 - 830
• Main Authors: Torres, Vanessa Braga, Maria Thereza de Albuquerque Barbosa CabralMicussi, Angelo, Priscylla Helouyse Melo, Alef Cavalcanti Matias de Barros, Varella, Larissa Ramalho Dantas, Maria Clara Eugênia de Oliveira, Elizabel de Souza Ramalho Viana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2016
• Subjects: Aging; Muscle strength; Original; Physical examination; Aging; Physical examination; Muscle strength
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.28.824

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of parity, type of delivery, and physical activity level on pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women. [Subjects and Methods] This was an observational analytic cross-sectional study with a sample of 100 postmenopausal women, aged between 45 and 65 years, divided into three groups according to menopausal stage: hysterectomized and early and late postmenopause. Patients were assessed for sociodemographic and gyneco-obstetric factors and subjected to a muscle strength test and perineometry. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and multiple regression were applied. [Results] The results showed homogeneity in sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. There was no difference in pelvic floor muscle function among the three groups. Type of delivery, parity and physical activity level showed no influence on muscle function. [Conclusion] The findings demonstrate that parity, type of delivery, and physical activity level had no influence on pelvic floor muscle pressure in postmenopausal women. One hypothesis to explain these results is the fact that the decline in muscle function in postmenopausal women is related to the female aging process.