Abstract:

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is caused by degenerative changes and injuries to the supporting tissues of the pelvic floor, resulting in relaxation of the supporting tissues, which leads to the displacement of the pelvic organs and a series of diseases, mainly including sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, etc., which brings a huge economic and psychological burden to the patients and their families. Due to the lack of awareness of PFD and limited understanding of treatment options, the disease seriously affects women′s quality of life and is often overlooked. Therefore, the search for risk factors contributing to the development of PFD can help prevent the disease, slow its progression, and improve the prognosis. It is widely accepted that PFD may be associated with mode of delivery, fetal size, body mass index (BMI), prolongation of the second stage of labor, maternal age, gestational diabetes mellitus, number of deliveries, and hormone levels, but the findings are inconsistent. The above risk factors for postpartum PFD are reviewed to gain a deeper understanding of their mechanisms and to provide clinical decision support for obstetricians and gynecologists.

Key words: Pelvic floor disorders, Pelvic organ prolapse, Urinary incontinence, Risk factors, Pregnancy