2008 September 17; 300(11): 1311–1316 | Ingrid Nygaard, MD, MS, Matthew D. Barber, MD, MHS
This study provides the first nationwide, population-based estimates of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse) in US women. The analysis is based on data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey of nonpregnant women aged 20 years or older. The weighted prevalence of at least one pelvic floor disorder was 23.7%, with 15.7% experiencing urinary incontinence, 9.0% experiencing fecal incontinence, and 2.9% experiencing pelvic organ prolapse. The prevalence increased with age, from 9.7% in women aged 20 to 39 years to 49.7% in those aged 80 years or older. Overweight and obese women were more likely to report at least one pelvic floor disorder compared to normal weight women. The study highlights the significant burden of pelvic floor disorders on women's health and underscores the need for further research to understand their pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment.This study provides the first nationwide, population-based estimates of symptomatic pelvic floor disorders (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse) in US women. The analysis is based on data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey of nonpregnant women aged 20 years or older. The weighted prevalence of at least one pelvic floor disorder was 23.7%, with 15.7% experiencing urinary incontinence, 9.0% experiencing fecal incontinence, and 2.9% experiencing pelvic organ prolapse. The prevalence increased with age, from 9.7% in women aged 20 to 39 years to 49.7% in those aged 80 years or older. Overweight and obese women were more likely to report at least one pelvic floor disorder compared to normal weight women. The study highlights the significant burden of pelvic floor disorders on women's health and underscores the need for further research to understand their pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment.