Effects of voluntary pelvic floor contraction and relaxation on the urethral closure pressure

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

In Vivo Luminal Measurement of Distension-Evoked Urothelial ATP Release in Rodents
09:17

In Vivo Luminal Measurement of Distension-Evoked Urothelial ATP Release in Rodents

Published on: September 7, 2022

Kaven Baessler1, Kirstin Miska, Ruth Draths

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland. kavenbaessler@aol.com

International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
|September 28, 2004
PubMed

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of voluntary pelvic floor contraction and voluntary pelvic floor relaxation on the urethral closure pressure at rest. In 104 consecutive women, three urethral pressure profiles were performed: standard profile at rest, with voluntary pelvic floor contraction and with voluntary pelvic floor relaxation. A low-pressure urethra was defined as a maximum urethral closure pressure of < or =20 cmH(2)O. The age ranged between 24 and 82 years. The maximum urethral closure pressure at rest was significantly augmented during pelvic floor contraction (mean: 18 cmH(2)O). Compared with the first profile, it decreased significantly with pelvic floor relaxation (mean decrement: 8 cmH(2)O). A low-pressure urethra was detected in 5 women during the first profile and in a further 11 during pelvic floor relaxation. Because of the significant influence of pelvic floor activity on the urethral closure pressure at rest, the scientific and clinical credibility of urethral pressure measurements remain questionable.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse07:41

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: April 17, 2019

Related Concept Videos

The Micturition Reflex01:26

The Micturition Reflex

Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry01:19

Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry

Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive urodynamic test designed to measure various aspects of urination, including volume, flow rate, and the time to void. This test is crucial for diagnosing and assessing conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction, bladder dysfunction, incomplete bladder emptying, incontinence, and urinary tract blockages caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urethral strictures.Pre-Test Instructions:Before a uroflowmetry test, patients are typically advised to drink...
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra01:19

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
Male Sexual Response: Erection &amp; Ejaculation01:17

Male Sexual Response: Erection & Ejaculation

Sexual stimulation can take various forms, such as physical touch and visual or auditory cues. When this happens, the parasympathetic reflex in the sacral portion of the spinal cord is activated. This reflex stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), which then dilates the arterioles in the penis, increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues - the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.
The blood filling the erectile tissues compresses the veins, which helps to prevent blood from leaving...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...