Do bladder neck mobility and urethral sphincter function differ during pregnancy compared with during the...

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Female Pelvic Floor Disorders
• Pregnancy-related Urological Changes

Background:

• Pregnancy significantly alters female pelvic floor anatomy and function.
• Understanding changes in urethral sphincter (US) function and bladder neck (BN) behavior during pregnancy is crucial for managing stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare urethral sphincter (US) function and bladder neck (BN) behavior between pregnant and non-pregnant women.
• To identify specific urodynamic parameters affected by pregnancy and their correlation with SUI.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of urethral pressure profile parameters, intravaginal-anal pressures, and bladder neck (BN) position/mobility.
• Analysis included pregnant and non-pregnant women, with a subgroup of pregnant patients with SUI.

Main Results:

• Pregnancy led to decreased maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP), reduced area of continence, lower pressure-transmission ratio (PTR) values, and backward bladder neck (BN) displacement.
• Pregnant women with SUI exhibited lower MUCP and area of continence compared to continent pregnant women, but similar BN behavior.
• No significant correlation was found between advancing pregnancy and the measured US or BN parameters.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy induces diminished urethral sphincter (US) function and backward bladder neck (BN) displacement.
• Pregnant women with SUI demonstrate impaired US function compared to continent pregnant women.
• Urethral sphincter (US) parameters are not significantly modified by the progression of pregnancy.