GENDER-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES OF NORMATIVE VALUES OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE FUNCTION IN HEALTHY ADULTS POPULATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY

I. Khowailed1, H. Disney1, H. Lee2
1University of Saint Augustine, Physical Therapy, San Diego, United States, 2Gachon University, Korea, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of)

Background: Females and males differ significantly in gross anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor muscle, and these differences are commonly discussed in the scientific literature. However, less attention is dedicated to investigating the normative values of PFM function between females and males.

Purpose: Our study aims to describe the normal reference values of PFM function in females and males of healthy adult population using transabdominal ultrasound.

Methods: 200 healthy adults, including 71 males and 129 females consented to participate in this study. Bladder base displacement was measured using a sagittal curved linear array 2 to 5 MHz transducer over the suprapubic region. The amount of bladder base movement on ultrasound was measured in all subjects from freeze frame ultrasound images and considered as an indicator of PFM function.

Results: The average age of subjects was (26.1 ±2.6 years), (24.4 ± 3.7 BMI). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in transabdominal ultrasound measurement for PFM function (P=0.00000). The bladder base displacement was significantly greater in males compared to females (0.65 ± 0.42 vs. 0.38±0.35, p <.001, 95% CI:0.16-0.38).

Conclusion(s): The present study provides evidence of a gender-related PFM functional differences creating a baseline for the clinic to establish the normal percentile values of PFM function.

Implications: This present study revealed that pelvic floor muscle function exhibits sexual dimorphism. Men had a greater bladder base displacement compared to their female’s counterpart. A consequence of differences in bladder base displacement may have implication on the higher risk of PFD seen in women.  

Funding, acknowledgements: University and National Research Foundation of Korea

Keywords: Gender-specific differences, Pelvic Floor muscles function, Ultrasonography

Topic: Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of Saint Augustine
Committee: IRB
Ethics number: 0828-018


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