Prevalence Of Pelvic Floor Dysfuction And Its Impact On Quality Of Life Among Postpartum Women

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a growing global health issue, often exacerbated by insulin resistance, metabolic disturbances, and inflammatory responses.

Background: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a relatively common health complication after giving birth, but is usually neglected. It largely impacts the woman’s physical, mental, and social aspects of life. It includes conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, which results in reduced mobility, poor emotional state, and social isolation. Major risk factors include pregnancy and childbirth, especially vaginal deliveries, prolonged labor, and high birth weight babies. Though common, many women do not seek treatment due to social stigma and ignorance. Knowing how common PFD is, as well as its consequences on quality of life (QoL), is important in order to provide adequate PFD screening, preventive approaches, and optimize the treatment offered for better recovery and health outcome after childbirth. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a medical condition that significantly impacts the quality of life among affected women. Identifying those at higher risk is crucial for prevention strategies, yet its complex origins remain poorly understood.

Objective This study aimed to examine the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction among postpartum women and its impact on their quality of life based on age.

Methods At Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMCRI), Puducherry, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 postpartum women. A structured questionnaire along with King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ) was employed to assess the effect of PFD on activities of daily living, emotional, and physical health. Computerized Descriptive statistical analysis was done in MS Excel.

Result: The prevalence of PFD among postpartum women was 43%. The age group that was most affected was 31-35 years (34.9%) followed by 26-30 years (27.9%). Of the participants, 95% had stress urinary incontinence, 88% had nocturia, and 79% reported some restriction of normal social activities. Furthermore, 90 % of the women suffered from depression and anxiety due to PFD, while the rest, 98%, reported having sleep problems and feeling tired, which adversely affected their quality of life.

Conclusion Study is highly prevalent among postpartum women and significantly reduces their quality of life, particularly in older age groups (31+ years). Early screening and interventions such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) are essential to improve postpartum women’s health and well-being. Reducing the burden of PFD and addressing postpartum women’s health and quality of life requires awareness campaigns and other medical measures.