Pelvic floor muscle activation in response to pressure stimuli applied to the vulvar vestibule: an observational study comparing women with and without provoked vestibulodynia.

Background: The nature of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) involvement in provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is poorly understood.

Aim: We aimed to determine if PFM electromyographic (EMG) activity in anticipation of or response to pressure applied to the posterior vaginal fourchette differs between those with and without PVD, and if the magnitude of PFM response is associated with pressure pain sensitivity, psychological or psychosexual function.

Methods: This was an observational case-control study.

Pelvic floor muscle activation amplitude at rest, during voluntary contraction, and during Valsalva maneuver-a comparison between those with and without provoked vestibulodynia.

Background: The neuromuscular contribution to increased tone of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) observed among those with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is unclear.

Aim: To determine if PFM activity differs between those with provoked PVD and pain free controls, and if the extent of PFM activation at rest or during activities is associated with pain sensitivity at the vulvar vestibule, psychological, and/or psychosexual outcomes.

Methods: This observational case-control study included forty-two volunteers with PVD and 43 controls with no history of vulvar pain.

Relaxin-2 during pregnancy according to glycemia, continence status, and pelvic floor muscle function.

Introduction And Hypothesis: To investigate relaxin-2 concentration comparing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM patients during pregnancy according to urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic function status.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study evaluating 282 pregnant women from 24 weeks of gestation. The participants were divided into two groups, non-GDM and GDM, according to American Diabetes Association's diabetes mellitus gestational threshold.

Intravaginal electrical stimulation increases voluntarily pelvic floor muscle contractions in women who are unable to voluntarily contract their pelvic floor muscles: a randomised trial.

Question: In women who are unable to contract their pelvic floor muscles voluntarily, what is the effect of an intravaginal electrical stimulation regimen on their ability to contract the pelvic floor muscles and on self-reported urinary incontinence?

Design: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis.

Participants: Sixty-four women with pelvic floor muscle function assessed by bi-digital palpation to be grade 0 or 1 on the Modified Oxford Scale.

Intervention: For 8 weeks, participants randomised to the experimental group received weekly 20-minute sessions of intravaginal electrical stimulation with instructions to attempt pelvic floor muscle contractions during the bursts of electrical stimulation in the final 10 minutes of each session.

What improvements in levator ani motor function lead to improvement in stress urinary incontinence signs and symptoms in females?

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objectives were to determine whether levator ani muscle (LAM) motor function is associated with female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) severity, and whether changes in LAM motor function induced through pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) are associated with improvements in SUI signs and symptoms.

Methods: Pelvic morphology and LAM function were evaluated using ultrasound imaging and manual palpation using the elements of the PERFECT Scheme (Power, Endurance, Repetitions, Fast contractions, Elevation, Co-contraction and Timing) before and after women with SUI underwent a 12-week PFMT intervention. SUI severity was determined subjectively (ICIQ-FLUTS-UI) and objectively (30-min pad test [30MPT]).

Pelvic floor muscle training increases pelvic floor muscle strength more in post-menopausal women who are not using hormone therapy than in women who are using hormone therapy: a randomised trial.

Question: Are there differences in the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor muscle strength and urinary incontinence symptoms in postmenopausal women who are and are not using hormone therapy?

Design: Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors, and intention-to-treat analysis.

Participants: Ninety-nine postmenopausal women, 38 of whom were using daily systemic oestrogen/progestogen therapy.

Intervention: The experimental group (n=51) received an intensive supervised pelvic floor muscle training protocol, and the control group (n=48) received no intervention.

An education program about pelvic floor muscles improved women's knowledge but not pelvic floor muscle function, urinary incontinence or sexual function: a randomised trial.

Question: Does an educational program with instructions for performing 'the Knack' improve voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, reduce reports of urinary incontinence, improve sexual function, and promote women's knowledge of the pelvic floor muscles?

Design: Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded assessors.

Participants: Ninety-nine women from the local community.

Intervention: The experimental group (n=50) received one lecture per week for 4 weeks, and instructions for performing 'the Knack'.

Physiotherapy methods to facilitate pelvic floor muscle contraction: A systematic review.

Aim: To undertake a systematic review of the literature on physical therapy methods to facilitate voluntary pelvic floor muscles (PFM) contraction.

Methods: The databases consulted were PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PEDro and CINHAL. The study included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental trials and systematic reviews.

Pelvic floor muscle strength and urinary incontinence in hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could increase muscle mass and thereby pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, reducing the risk of urinary incontinence (UI). The aim of the present study was to assess PFM strength and UI among hyperandrogenic women with PCOS and a control group for comparison.

Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, case-control study.

Assessment of symptoms of urinary incontinence in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: The pelvic floor muscles are sensitive to androgens, and due to hyperandrogenism, women with polycystic ovary syndrome can have increased mass in these muscles compared to controls. The aim of this study is to compare reports of urine leakage and quality of life between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: One hundred thirteen 18-to 40-year-old nulliparous women with polycystic ovary syndrome or without the disease (controls) were recruited at the University Hospital of School Medicine of São Paulo University at Ribeirão Preto City, Brazil.

Inter-rater reliability study of the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Peritron manometer.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Peritron manometer.

Design: All participants were evaluated twice, first by one examiner and 30 days later by a second examiner. Measurements of vaginal squeeze pressure were compared with the results from the palpation test.

Comparison between measurements obtained with three different perineometers.

Objective: To analyze the results obtained in the evaluation of intra-vaginal pressure using three different brands of perineometers in nulliparous volunteers.

Materials And Methods: Twenty nulliparous women with no anatomical alterations and/or dysfunction of the pelvic floor were enrolled in our study. All the women had the ability to voluntarily contract their PFM (Pelvic Floor Muscles), as assessed by digital palpation.