BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition that affects women of all ages. Pelvic organ prolapse in conjunction with UI is a common occurrence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of pelvic prolapse on the outcome of physical therapy treatment for women with UI. METHODS: The study included 48 women aged between 35 and 78 years who underwent anamnesis and measurement of pelvic floor strength (bi-digital test and perineometry). The physical therapy intervention consisted of transvaginal electrical stimulation and pelvic floor exercise for up to 15 weekly sessions. RESULTS: The majority of the women had normal delivery and 2.6±1.5 children (range=0-7). Pelvic prolapse was observed in 72.4% of the women who had normal delivery, in 100% of those who had cesarean section, and in 77.8% of those who had both normal and cesarean deliveries. 48% of the women had mixed UI, 39.5% had stress UI, and 12.5% had urge UI. The duration of symptoms varied from 2 to 28 years (7.9±5.3). In the participants with and without prolapse, a significant difference was observed in the pre- and post-treatment comparisons for the pelvic floor muscles. The pre- and post-treatment perineometry showed a significant increase only in the women with prolapse (p=0.048). 87.5% of the participants became continent. CONCLUSIONS: The physical therapy treatment was effective in treating and/or curing the symptoms of UI, whether or not associated with pelvic prolapse, regardless of the clinical type of incontinence.
urinary incontinence; prolapsed; physical therapy
