Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management

How to provide pelvic floor muscle training: What is the most effective way to provide pelvic floor muscle training (covering the type of training, the timing, and who should supervise it), to improve adherence and prevent pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction in young women: Is pelvic floor muscle training for young women (between 12 and 17 years) effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy for women in higher-risk groups: How effective is pelvic floor muscle training in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy in women who are in higher-risk groups?

Lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction: What lifestyle factors reduce the risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction (diet, reducing carbonated drink and caffeine intake)?

Prediction tools: What is the effectiveness of prediction tools for identifying women who are at risk of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction in older women: Is pelvic floor muscle training effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction for older women (aged 65 and over), and women in the perimenopausal or postmenopausal phases?

Coexisting long-term conditions: What coexisting long-term conditions (for example, chronic respiratory disorders) are associated with a higher risk of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction: What are the long-term effects of different types, intensities and frequencies of physical activity for preventing symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Universal postnatal pelvic floor muscle training for preventing pelvic floor dysfunction: Is universal postnatal pelvic floor muscle training effective in preventing pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor muscle training for preventing bowel symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective is pelvic floor muscle training in preventing bowel symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Weight loss for managing pelvic floor dysfunction: Can weight loss reduce symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in women who are overweight or obese?

Diet for managing pelvic floor dysfunction: What changes in diet can improve symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Weight training to improve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective is weight training at improving symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Unsupervised physical activity to improve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective is unsupervised physical activity (such as walking or swimming) at improving symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Psychological interventions to manage symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective are psychological interventions (either on their own or combined with other interventions) in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Raising awareness about pelvic floor dysfunction: Are community-based strategies effective in raising awareness about the prevention of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Information valued by young women with pelvic floor dysfunction: What are the experiences and information needs of young women (between 12 and 17 years) with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Effective ways of supporting women to start and continue interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction: What is the best way to support women to start and continue interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction (for example, apps, decision aids, or behavioural change techniques)?

Effective ways of providing information to women with pelvic floor dysfunction: What are best ways to provide information about pelvic floor dysfunction to young women (between 12 and 17 years), and to groups defined by protected characteristics under the Equality Act?

Medicines for pelvic floor dysfunction: Is vaginal oestrogen effective at treating the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Community-based multidisciplinary pelvic floor dysfunction teams: What roles are needed in a community-based multidisciplinary pelvic floor dysfunction team?

Intravaginal devices and pessaries combined with pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective is a pessary or intravaginal device combined with pelvic floor muscle training for managing pelvic floor dysfunction, compared with pelvic floor muscle training alone?

Virtual and in-person contact time for pelvic floor muscle training: How effective is virtual contact with a trainer, compared with in-person contact, for pelvic floor muscle training?

Anal plug devices and rectal irrigation for the management of bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction: How effective are anal plug devices and rectal irrigation for bowel symptoms in women with pelvic floor dysfunction?

Multiple pregnancy as an independent risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction: Is multiple pregnancy an independent risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction?