Risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction

Risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction

Modifiable risk factors

• A body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m2

• Smoking

• Lack of exercise

• Constipation

• Diabetes

Non-modifiable risk factors

• Age (risk increases with increasing age)

• Family history of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder or faecal incontinence

• Gynaecological cancer and any treatments for this

• Gynaecological surgery (such as a hysterectomy)

• Fibromyalgia

• Chronic respiratory disease and cough (chronic cough may increase the risk of faecal incontinence and flatus incontinence)

Related to pregnancy:

• Being over 30 years when having a baby

• Having given birth before their current pregnancy

Related to labour:

• Assisted vaginal birth (forceps or vacuum)

• A vaginal birth when the baby is lying face up (occipito-posterior)

• An active second stage of labour taking more than 1 hour

• Injury to the anal sphincter during birth

Reference:

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