TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparing male and female pelvic floor muscle function by the number and type of pelvic floor symptoms
AU - Notenboom-Nas, F.J.M.
AU - Knol-de Vries, G.
AU - Slieker-ten Hove, M.C.P.
AU - Dekker, J.H.
AU - Keuken, D.G.
AU - van Koeveringe, G.A.
AU - Blanker, M.H.
N1 - Funding Information:
We want to thank Dr Robert Sykes ( www.doctored.org.uk ) who provided technical editing services for the final drafts of this manuscript. This study was funded by ZonMw (Gender and Health 849200004).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - AimsPelvic floor symptoms (PFS), including lower urinary tract symptoms, defecation problems, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain, are common in males and females. Comparing pelvic floor musculature (PFM) function between sexes may reveal important differences relevant to clinical care. This study aimed to compare male and female PFM function and to assess the function of both sexes with the number and type of PFS. MethodsWe purposively enrolled males and females aged >= 21 years with 0-4 PFS based on questionnaire responses in an observational cohort study. Participants then underwent PFM assessment, and muscle function in the external anal sphincter (EAS) and puborectal muscle (PRM) were compared between sexes. The relationships between muscle function and the number and type of PFS were explored. ResultsOf the invited 400 males and 608 females, 199 and 187 underwent PFM assessment, respectively. Compared with females, males more often showed increased EAS and PRM tone during assessments. Compared with males, females more often showed weaker maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the EAS and dysfunctional endurance of both muscles; additionally, those with zero or one PFS, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain more often showed a weak MVC of the PRM. ConclusionsDespite a few similarities between males and, females we found differences in muscle tone, MVC, and endurance between male and female PFM function. These findings provide useful insights into the differences in PFM function between males and females.
AB - AimsPelvic floor symptoms (PFS), including lower urinary tract symptoms, defecation problems, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain, are common in males and females. Comparing pelvic floor musculature (PFM) function between sexes may reveal important differences relevant to clinical care. This study aimed to compare male and female PFM function and to assess the function of both sexes with the number and type of PFS. MethodsWe purposively enrolled males and females aged >= 21 years with 0-4 PFS based on questionnaire responses in an observational cohort study. Participants then underwent PFM assessment, and muscle function in the external anal sphincter (EAS) and puborectal muscle (PRM) were compared between sexes. The relationships between muscle function and the number and type of PFS were explored. ResultsOf the invited 400 males and 608 females, 199 and 187 underwent PFM assessment, respectively. Compared with females, males more often showed increased EAS and PRM tone during assessments. Compared with males, females more often showed weaker maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the EAS and dysfunctional endurance of both muscles; additionally, those with zero or one PFS, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain more often showed a weak MVC of the PRM. ConclusionsDespite a few similarities between males and, females we found differences in muscle tone, MVC, and endurance between male and female PFM function. These findings provide useful insights into the differences in PFM function between males and females.
KW - females
KW - males
KW - pelvic floor musculature assessment
KW - pelvic floor symptoms
KW - ANATOMY
U2 - 10.1002/nau.25149
DO - 10.1002/nau.25149
M3 - Article
C2 - 36811502
SN - 0733-2467
VL - 42
SP - 875
EP - 885
JO - Neurourology and Urodynamics
JF - Neurourology and Urodynamics
IS - 4
ER -