Individual Factors in Young Female Athletes' Bladder Health (the Y-FAB Study).

Importance: Bladder health in high school and collegiate females is not well understood.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare toileting behaviors, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs), and fluid intake in female athletes and nonathletes.

Study Design: English-speaking nulliparous females aged 13-23 years were recruited.

Exploring the Link between Altitude of Residence and Smoking Patterns in the United States.

Introduction: Smoking-related diseases affect 16 million Americans, causing approximately 480,000 deaths annually. The prevalence of cigarette smoking varies regionally across the United States, and previous research indicates that regional rates of smoking-related diseases demonstrate a negative association with altitude. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between altitude and the prevalence of cigarette smoking by county ( = 3106) in the United States.

Occupational groups and lower urinary tract symptoms: A cross-sectional analysis of women in the Boston Area Community Health Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to inform our hypothesis that the workplace toileting environment may impact lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS); we examined the prevalence of LUTS across occupational groups in the Boston Area Community Health Survey.

Methods: At baseline, women (n = 3205) reported their occupation and frequency of 15 LUTS. Using the US Department of Labor's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, we categorized women into 11 standard occupational groups.

Is there an association between physical activity and lower urinary tract symptoms in adolescent girls? Results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common among adolescent girls. Physical activity (PA) has been implicated as both a risk (high-impact PA) and protective factor (low-impact, moderate to vigorous intensity PA) for LUTS in adult women, but its role in adolescent girls is unclear. This study investigated the prospective association between physical activity and LUTS risk in adolescent girls.

Toileting Behaviors and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Female Physicians and Medical Students.

Importance: A greater understanding of the relationship between toileting behaviors and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has the potential to generate awareness and improvement of overall bladder health in specific populations.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and correlation between maladaptive toileting behaviors and LUTS among female medical trainees and attending physicians.

Study Design: We surveyed female medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians at an academic hospital, capturing demographics, voiding behaviors, LUTS, and fluid intake using the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Short Form, the Toileting Behavior-Women's Elimination Behaviors, and the Beverage Intake Questionnaire.

Physician awareness of patients' preferred level of involvement in decision-making at the initial urogynecology visit: a randomized trial.

Background: Studies have shown up to a 40% discordance between patients' preferred roles in decision-making before and their perceived roles after their visit. This can negatively affect patients' experiences; interventions to minimize this discordance may significantly improve patient satisfaction.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether physicians' awareness of patients' preferred involvement in decision-making before their initial urogynecology visit affects patients' perceived level of involvement after their visit.

Health literacy in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Limited health literacy (HL) is a risk factor for poor patient outcomes, including pain. Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a prevalent disorder affecting up to 25% of women and coexists with multiple overlapping conditions. This study aimed to describe health literacy in women with CPP, primarily correlate HL to pain intensity and pain duration, and secondarily correlate HL to mood symptoms and pain catastrophizing.

Sexual Health Behaviors by Age 17 and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms at Age 19: PLUS Research Consortium Analysis of ALSPAC Data.

Purpose: We examined how antecedent sexual health factors affect lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adolescent women.

Methods: We analyzed 1,941 adolescent women from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children at age 19. At ages 15 and 17, participants reported use of oral contraceptives (OCs), history of sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, and condom use.

Comprehensive pelvic muscle assessment: Developing and testing a dual e-Learning and simulation-based training program.

Objective: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) research consortium launched the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) national study of women's bladder health which includes annual surveys and an in-person visit. For the in-person exam, a standardized, replicable approach to conducting a pelvic muscle (PM) assessment was necessary. The process used to develop the training, the products, and group testing results from the education and training are described.

The RISE FOR HEALTH study: Methods for in-person assessment and biospecimen collection.

Objectives: To describe the methods for the in-person assessment of the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) study, a population-based multicenter prospective cohort study designed to identify factors that promote bladder health and/or prevent lower urinary tract symptoms in adult women, conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium (PLUS).

Methods And Results: A subset of RISE participants who express interest in the in-person assessment will be screened to ensure eligibility (planned n = 525). Eligible consenting participants are asked to complete 15 physical assessments in addition to height and weight, to assess pelvic floor muscle function, musculoskeletal (MSK) status, and pain, and to provide urogenital microbiome samples.

Pessary Management Approach Affects Likelihood of Surgery.

Importance: It is unknown whether the pessary management type influences the need for surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence with the type of pessary management (self-management or office management).

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included first-time pessary users treated at a tertiary urogynecologic clinic from 2012 to 2014 for pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, or both.

The RISE FOR HEALTH study: Methods for in-person musculoskeletal assessment.

Objectives: To describe the methods for the in-person musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment of the RISE FOR HEALTH (RISE) study, a population-based multicenter prospective cohort study designed to identify factors associated with bladder health (BH) conducted by the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium (PLUS).

Methods: A subset of RISE participants who express interest in the in-person assessment are screened to ensure eligibility (planned n = 525). Eligible consenting participants are asked to complete a standardized MSK assessment to evaluate core stability (four component core stability test, lumbar spine pain (seated slump test), pelvic girdle pain, (sacroiliac joint, anterior superior iliac spine, pubic symphysis tenderness, and pelvic girdle pain provocation test), hip pain (flexion, abduction, internal rotation and flexion, adduction and external rotation) and pelvic girdle function (active straight leg raise).

Importance of internal vaginal pelvic floor muscle exams for women with external lumbar/hip/pelvic girdle pain.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The relationship between external lumbar, hip, and/or pelvic girdle pain and internal vaginal pelvic floor myofascial pain is not well described. We assessed this relationship in a cohort of adult women.

Methods: The cohort included women ≥ 18 years old who received care for external lumbar, hip, and/or pelvic girdle pain (reported or elicited on physical examination) who then underwent internal vaginal myofascial levator ani pain assessments, in a tertiary care Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery pelvic pain clinic over a 2-year period (2013 and 2014).

Acupuncture for female bladder pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Growing evidence supports acupuncture for several pain conditions including chronic prostatitis. This study aimed to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

Materials And Methods: This prospective randomized single-blinded study compared electro-acupuncture (EA) to minimal acupuncture (MA) after 6 weekly treatments and again after 6 weeks of no treatment.

Urination Frequency Ranges in Healthy Women.

Background: Limited information on the normal range of urination frequencies in women is available to guide bladder health promotion efforts.

Objectives: This study used data from the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey to (a) estimate normative reference ranges in daytime and nighttime urination frequencies in healthy women based on two operational definitions of "healthy" and (b) compare urination frequencies by age, race/ethnicity, and fluid intake.

Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional interview data collected from female participants was performed using less restrictive ("healthy") and strict ("elite healthy") inclusion criteria.

How Involved Do Patients Want to Be in the Medical Decision-Making at the Initial Urogynecology Clinic Visit?

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare patients' preferred role in medical decision-making before the initial urogynecology visit to their perceived role after the visit.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled women presenting for their initial urogynecology visit. Before and after the visit, patients completed the Control Preference Scale (CPS), which categorizes the role that patients want to have in medical decision-making: active, collaborative, or passive.

Changes in Bladder Health over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis of Adult Women in the Boston Area Community Health Survey.

Purpose: Our goal was to describe changes in bladder health, defined as "a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to bladder function that permits daily activities, adapts to short-term stressors, and allows optimal well-being," in women over time.

Materials And Methods: We used data on 15 lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and interference from urinary experiences assessed at the baseline and 5-year followup interviews of the BACH (Boston Area Community Health) Survey to estimate changes in bladder health over time in women. Associations between baseline and followup bladder health (defined as the maximum frequency of LUTS or interference at each time point) were calculated by ordinal logistic regression and generalized linear models.

Assessment of the Pelvic Floor and Associated Musculoskeletal System: Guide for Medical Practitioners.

Objectives: This study aimed to assist practitioners in performing an accurate assessment of the external and internal pelvic musculoskeletal (MSK) systems to improve appropriate diagnosis and referral of patients with pelvic floor disorders or pelvic pain and to improve understanding of physical therapy (PT) treatment principles, thereby improving communication between practitioners and encouraging a multidisciplinary approach.

Methods: A referenced review of the anatomy of the pelvic floor muscles, pelvis, and surrounding structures, followed by a detailed assessment of anatomy, posture, and gait, is presented. A thorough description of PT assessment and treatment is included with clinical relevance.

Clinical Outcomes of a Multidisciplinary Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Program.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe patient-reported longitudinal outcomes in a multidisciplinary female chronic pelvic pain (CPP) program.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study for women cared for in a tertiary, multidisciplinary, female (CPP) program between 2012 and 2017. Patient demographics were collected from electronic medical records.

The impact of a sacroiliac joint belt on function and pain using the active straight leg raise in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

Introduction: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is the most common musculoskeletal concern in pregnancy. The Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) test is diagnostic. Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) belts are included in multimodal therapy, but there is no established predictive measure to determine which pregnant women will benefit.

Revisiting the Spectrum of Bladder Health: Relationships Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Multiple Measures of Well-Being.

Little research to date has investigated the spectrum of bladder health in women, including both bladder function and well-being. Therefore, we expanded our previous baseline analysis of bladder health in the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey to incorporate several additional measures of bladder-related well-being collected at the 5-year follow-up interview, including one developed specifically for women. At follow-up, participants reported their frequency of 15 lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), degree of life impact from and thought related to urinary symptoms or pelvic/bladder pain/discomfort, and perception of their bladder condition.

School Toileting Environment, Bullying, and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in a Population of Adolescent and Young Adult Girls: Preventing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Consortium Analysis of Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

Objectives: To examine whether the school toilet environment at age 13, including bullying at toilets, is associated with female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at ages 13 and 19, as little is known about the association among school toilet environment, voiding behaviors, and LUTS in adolescent girls.

Methods: The sample comprised 3962 female participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. At age 13, participants reported on 7 school toilet environment characteristics and a range of LUTS items.

Consideration of pelvic floor myofascial release for overactive bladder.

Introduction: Physical therapy has been shown to be effective for women with overactive bladder (OAB). We report on our experience with pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) with or without myofascial release as treatment for women with symptoms of urinary urgency or urge incontinence.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review, of patients who presented to our tertiary care Urogynecology practice.