Pelvic dysfunction is a complex of disorders of the pelvic floor muscles and ligamentous apparatus, which leads to conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, anal incontinence, pelvic pain. Currently, there is a growing demand from patients for the correction of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, which were previously considered part of aging. The purpose of this cross-sectional prospective study is to analyze the pelvic dysfunction of patients admitted for surgical treatment, as well as the characteristics and medical history of this category of patients that led to this clinical picture.

A prospective cross-sectional study included 159 patients who were admitted for surgery for pelvic dysfunction. Before surgery, the patients completed validated questionnaires to assess their condition – ICIQ-SF, PISQ-12, PFIQ-7, PFDI-20.

The total number of patients treated was 156, with an average age of 56.3 (± 12) years. The median body mass index (BMI) was 28.6 kg/m². Hypertension was the most common somatic disease (38.9% of cases), followed by varicose veins (16.9%) and diabetes mellitus (7.5%). Other conditions included bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis (both 5%). The maximum number of independent deliveries was 5 (4.9%). Most often, women had self-delivered 1 or 2 times (39.3% and 36.1% respectively). Cesarean sections were performed 1-2 times. Meanwhile, 36 (55.9%) patients who delivered had perineal tears during childbirth.

The progressive aging of the population and the resort to surgical gynecological treatment are the main conditions associated with a higher prevalence of pelvic dysfunctions. In our study, the average body mass index in patients with pelvic organ dysfunction was 28.6 kg/m2, which indicates overweight.  In our study, 55.9% of women who gave birth had perineal tears during childbirth or had an episiotomy. Severe injury to the perineum during childbirth is associated with decreased sexual function after childbirth, a higher prevalence of pelvic pain, and a longer time to resume sexual activity after childbirth.

Various socio-demographic factors, such as age, the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, overweight, and vaginal delivery, especially instrumental vaginal delivery, are associated with a higher likelihood of pelvic floor dysfunction.