The effect of pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor function and sexuality postpartum. A randomized study including 300 primiparous

PURPOSE: Although pregnancy and childbirth are physiological processes they may be associated with pelvic floor disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pelvic floor muscle training on postpartum pelvic floor and sexual function of primiparous. METHODS: This is a randomized prospective study including 300 primiparous women. Due to the dropout 200 women were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were the delivery of the first, mature baby, the ability to speak and understand German. The participants were evaluated by clinical examinations and questionnaires after 6 and 12 months postpartum. After 6 months, the women were randomized in two groups. Compared to the control group the intervention groups participated in 45-min pelvic floor muscle training and pelvic floor perception once a week over 6 weeks. RESULTS: The results of the questionnaires showed no significant differences between the groups after 12 months. A significant stronger pelvic floor muscle strength was found for the intervention group after 12 months. The improvement of the pelvic floor and sexual function over the time showed a significant improvement in both groups. CONCLUSION: Supervised pelvic floor muscle training did not improve both the pelvic floor and the female sexual function in comparison to the control group. After 12 months, the pelvic floor and sexual function improved significant in all women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00024725), retrospectively registrated.