Abstract
Background
Pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) are recommended for treatment of urinary incontinence
with less evidence available about the effect on female sexual function (FSF) and
childbirth.
Aim
To investigate the effect of antenatal PFME on FSF during pregnancy and the first
three months following birth as a primary outcome, and on labour and birth outcomes
as a secondary outcome.
Method
200 nulliparous women were randomised to control (n = 100) and intervention (n = 100)
groups. The women in the intervention group (IG) undertook PFME from 20 weeks gestation
until birth and had routine antenatal care, while those in the control group (CG)
received routine antenatal care only. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was
used to measure FSF at 36 weeks gestation and three months postnatal. Baseline characteristics
and childbirth data were also collected and analysed using SPSS.
Results
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms
of FSF scores during pregnancy and on childbirth outcomes. Sexual satisfaction was
slightly higher in the CG [Mean ± SD, CG: 4.35 ± 1.45 vs. IG: 3.70 ± 1.50, (P = 0.03)]
at three months after birth. However, 50% of women adhered to the PFME, and 40% of
women did not resume sex by three months after the birth.
Conclusion
Though some trends were observed, the results showed no effect of PFME on sexual function
or labour and birth outcomes. This needs to be interpreted considering the 50% adherence
to PFME. More research is recommended.
Abbreviations:
FSF (Female Sexual Function), FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), RCT (Randomised controlled trial), PFME (pelvic floor muscle exercises), WSLHD (Western Sydney Local Health District)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 08, 2022
Accepted:
February 20,
2022
Received in revised form:
February 17,
2022
Received:
October 4,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
