Pelvic floor muscle function and EMG in nulliparous women of different ages: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Although aging is considered a risk factor for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (PFMD), the effect of aging on the function of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) remains unclear.

Objective: To compare PFM function and activity in nulliparous women in different age groups.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 70 women with ages between 18 and 69 years were divided into five age groups for evaluation. Initially, medical histories were taken, and then the PFM function was assessed using digital palpation (Modified Oxford Scale), manometry and surface electromyography (sEMG). The Kruskal–Wallis test was applied to check the differences between the groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to verify the correlations between age and PFM function, manometry values and sEMG. A significance level of 5% was adopted.

Results: No significant differences were observed between the different age groups in PFM digital palpation, manometry values and sEMG. There was a low negative correlation between age root mean square and peak of sEMG signals.

Conclusion: This study found no difference in PFM function and activity between nulliparous women in the five different age groups. Future long-term large prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Keywords:

• Pelvic floor muscle function
• surface electromyography
• evaluation
• perineometry

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Source of funding

São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), project number 2012/11603-5 (D. A. S. Bocardi).