NICE guidance - pelvic floor muscle training - if pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor muscle training - if pelvic floor dysfunction

For pelvic organ prolapse

• consider a programme of supervised pelvic floor training* for at least 4 months for women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse that does not extend greater than 1 cm beyond the hymen upon straining

* exercise to improve pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, power, relaxation, or a combination of these

• for more information, see the definition of pelvic floor muscle training in the International Continence Society and International Urogynecological Association's joint report on the terminology for the conservative and non-pharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction.

For stress urinary incontinence or mixed urinary incontinence

• offer a programme of supervised pelvic floor muscle training for at least 3 months to women (including pregnant women) with stress urinary incontinence or mixed urinary incontinence

For faecal incontinence with coexisting pelvic organ prolapse

• consider a programme of supervised pelvic floor muscle training for at least 4 months for women with faecal incontinence and coexisting pelvic organ prolapse

Review

• when providing a programme of pelvic floor muscle training, offer at least 1 review to assess progress during the programme, and 1 review at the end of the programme

Supplementing pelvic floor muscle training

• for women who are unable to perform an effective pelvic floor muscle contraction, consider supplementing pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback techniques, electrical stimulation or vaginal cones.

For more details then consult the full NICE guideline.

Reference:

• NICE (December 2021). Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management