Abstract:

Pelvic floor dysfunction and postpartum depression are both common conditions in postpartum women, posing serious threats to maternal physical and mental health and reducing postpartum quality of life. There is a significant bidirectional association and comorbidity between the two disorders. Studies have confirmed that physical discomfort caused by pelvic floor dysfunction can easily trigger depressive moods, while depression states may reduce compliance with pelvic floor rehabilitation, creating a vicious cycle. Obstetric injuries, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency are shared risk factors for both conditions. Dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, estrogen imbalance, and chronic inflammation are the core physiological mechanisms underlying their comorbidity. Current clinical diagnosis and treatment often remain fragmented, lacking targeted intervention strategies for comorbidity. Comprehensive approaches, such as pelvic floor rehabilitation combined with psychotherapy and targeted pharmacological treatments, can effectively alleviate comorbid symptoms. However, existing studies predominantly rely on subjective assessments, and the mechanisms underlying comorbidity, as well as prevention and treatment systems, remain inadequate. Future research should further explore the comorbidity mechanisms, improve integrated screening systems for postpartum physical and mental health, and establish holistic intervention models to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of physical and mental health in postpartum women.

Key words: Depression, postpartum, Pelvic floor dysfunction, Urinary incontinence, Obesity, Vitamin D, Hypothalamo-hypophyseal system, Inflammation