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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Vaginal childbirth and pelvic floor disorders
Hafsa U Memon1, Victoria L Handa
1Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, MD, USA. hmemon1@jhmi.edu
Women'S Health (London, England)
|May 4, 2013
Summary
Vaginal childbirth is linked to pelvic floor disorders like incontinence and prolapse. Research reviews literature on how delivery impacts pelvic floor health, identifying risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pelvic Floor Health
Background:
- Vaginal childbirth is a common delivery method with long-term implications.
- Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are increasingly recognized.
- The association between vaginal delivery and PFDs necessitates further investigation into causative factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current scientific literature.
- To explore the relationship between vaginal childbirth and the incidence of pelvic floor disorders.
- To identify potential risk factors and mechanisms linking childbirth to PFDs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of observational studies.
- Synthesis of existing research on vaginal delivery and PFDs.
- Analysis of identified obstetrical exposures as risk factors.
Main Results:
- Strong association found between vaginal childbirth and PFDs, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
- Parity (number of births) is a significant factor linked to PFDs.
- The precise injury mechanisms remain unclear but likely involve multifactorial causes like mechanical and neurovascular damage.
Conclusions:
- Vaginal childbirth is a significant risk factor for developing pelvic floor disorders later in life.
- Identifying specific obstetrical risk factors is challenging due to their frequent co-occurrence.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of injury and inform preventative strategies.
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