Association between pelvic floor muscle trauma and pelvic organ prolapse 20 years after delivery

Introduction and hypothesis: It is known that pelvic floor muscle trauma (PFMT) after vaginal delivery is associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms (sPOP) and signs (POP-Q ≥2) in patient populations. Our aims were to establish the prevalence and investigate a possible association between PFMT and sPOP and POP-Q ≥2 in healthy women 20 years after their first delivery.

Methods: During 2013 and 2014 we conducted a cross-sectional study among 847 women who delivered their first child between 1990 and 1997. Women responded to a postal questionnaire and were offered a clinical examination including prolapse grading and pelvic floor ultrasonography. The main outcome measures were sPOP, POP-Q ≥2 and PFMT, defined by levator avulsion or a levator hiatal area on Valsalva manoeuvre of >40 cm(2) on ultrasonography.

Results: Of the 847 eligible women, 608 (72 %) were examined. Data on POP symptoms, POP-Q stage, levator avulsion and levator hiatal area were available in 598, 608, 606 and 554 women, respectively, and of these 75 (13%) had sPOP, 275 (45%) had POP-Q ≥2, 113 (19 %) had levator avulsion and 164 (30%) had a levator hiatal area >40 cm(2). Levator avulsion was associated with POP-Q ≥2 with an odds ratio (OR) of 9.91 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 5.73 - 17.13, and with sPOP (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.34 - 3.91). Levator hiatal area >40 cm(2) was associated with POP-Q ≥2 (OR 6.98, 95% CI 4.54, - 10.74) and sPOP (OR 3.28, 95 % CI 1.96 - 5.50).

Conclusion: Many healthy women selected from the general population have symptoms and signs of POP 20 years after their first delivery, and PFMT is associated with POP-Q ≥2 and sPOP.