Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Disorders Flashcards
Most common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
- Bulge symptoms
- Urinary incontinence
- Dyspareunia
Cystocele
Rectocele
Uterine prolapse
Vaginal vault prolapse
Only occurs after hysterectomy!
Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse
- Age
- Vaginal delivery
- Menopause
- Chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure
- Constipation
- Obesity
- Pelvic floor trauma
- Connective tissue disorders
Components of the levator ani
- Puborectalis
- Pubococcygeus
- Iliococcygeus
Endopelvic fascia
- Fibro-muscular sheath attaching the pelvic muscles to the pelvic side-walls
- Above the levator ani muscle
- Includes:
- Arcus tendineus
- Cardinal ligaments
- Utero-sacral ligaments
“Levels” of support in the pelvic floor
-
Level 1: Apical
- Cardinal ligaments and uterosacral ligaments support the uterus
- Defect in this level causes a uterovaginal prolapse
-
Level 2: Mid-Vaginal
- Arcus tendineus and the levator ani fascia support the upper 2/3 of the vagina
- Defect in this level causes a cystocele
-
Level 3: Distal Vaginal
- Urogenital diaphragm and perineal body support the distal vagina
- Defect in this level causes a rectocele
Why are older patients more at risk for pelvic floor injury?
With age there is a loss of collagen content, and the collagen that remains is mostly mature, heavily-crosslinked collagen which is less flexible than immature collagen.
“Expectant management”
Do nothing
Treatment options for pelvic floor prolapse
- Expectant management (if symptoms are tolerable)
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Vaginal pessaries (intra-vaginal support)
- Surgery (hysterectomy & reconstruction)
When does pelvic floor prolapse become pathologic?
When there is an issue of obstruction with urination or defecation
Parasympathetic bladder innervation
Sympathetic bladder innervation
Somatic bladder innevation
Neural control of the bladder during storage
Neural control of the bladder during micturition
___ enables us to exert voluntary control over the micturition reflex
Central control of the pontine micturition center enables us to exert voluntary control over the micturition reflex
Urge incontinence
- Syndrome of urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage
- Often associated with nocturia
- Pathophysiology involves detrusor hyperactivity, leading to involuntray detrusor muscle contractions