Impact of menopausal status on the outcome of pelvic floor physiotherapy in women with urinary incontinence

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in pre- and postmenopausal women using a quality-of-life questionnaire.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 96 patients with urinary incontinence who participated in a pelvic floor muscle-training (PFMT) program at the Physiotherapy Department in a London University Hospital between January 2010 and August 2011.
RESULTS: A period of supervised PFMT resulted in significant improvement in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, urgency, frequency, and nocturia, irrespective of menopausal status.
CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and postmenopausal women experience similar outcomes in relation to urinary symptoms following a short-term supervised PFMT.