Hypothesis / aims of study
The objective of this study is to analyze the profile of patients using a mobile rehabilitation application and to identify key correlations between symptoms, medical history, and quality of life
Study design, materials and methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 418 women (mean age 34.5 years) who utilized a mobile platform for pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation. The application provides personalized rehabilitation tracks addressing incontinence, prolapse, chronic pelvic floor muscle pain syndrome (CPPS), constipation, anorgasmia, and sexual dysfunctions. Data were collected via a 46-item questionnaire during the rehabilitation process and processed using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify hidden patterns. The analysis focused on symptom groups including CPPS, urinary dysfunction, bowel disorders, prolapse, and sexual dysfunctions
Results
1. The most prevalent complaints were discomfort during intercourse (79.4%) and urinary dysfunction (77.8%).
2. A diagnosis of Chronic Pelvic Floor Muscle Pain Syndrome (CPPS) was present in 45.5% of the sample (n=190); in 57.9% of these cases, it was accompanied by a symptomatic triad: discomfort during intercourse, urinary dysfunction, and bowel disorders.
3. Age and parity were identified as key risk factors only for pelvic organ prolapse (increasing from 36.9% to 71.9%) and urinary incontinence (reaching 94.7% among women with 3 or more deliveries) (Table 1).
4. The highest prevalence of CPPS (74.5%) was observed in nulliparous women, compared to 66.7% after Cesarean section and 25.6% after vaginal delivery (Table 1).
5. Cyclical (menstrual) pelvic pain was identified in 94.7% of participants (96.8% in the CPPS group), with 36.3% experiencing severe pain requiring medication.
6. Orgastic function was comparable across all groups. However, CPPS was more frequently correlated with irregular sexual activity (73.2%), while prolapse was associated with low sexual self-esteem (38.2%) (Table 2).
7. As a primary goal, 34.7% of women prioritized improvements in intimate quality of life, vaginal sensitivity, and aesthetics over clinical medical indicators.
Interpretation of results
The obtained data indicate a significant divergence between traditional clinical perceptions and the actual profile of patients in a digital environment. The identified "pain paradox"—characterized by the highest prevalence of CPPS in nulliparous women (74.5%) and the Cesarean section group, with minimal rates following vaginal delivery—convincingly demonstrates that the pathogenesis of pelvic pain is driven primarily by mechanisms of neuromuscular hypertonus and central sensitization, rather than mechanical tissue trauma during childbirth. Conversely, the direct correlation of prolapse and incontinence with parity confirms that these disorders have an etiological nature distinct from that of chronic pain.
The near-universal prevalence of cyclical (menstrual) pelvic pain (94.7%) across all dysfunction groups allows it to be considered a reliable "red flag" for the early screening of systemic pelvic muscle tension. Prolapse and CPPS exert a more destructive impact on a woman's sexual satisfaction and self-esteem than urinary incontinence, despite there being no significant differences in the ability to achieve orgasm. Furthermore, the identified gap between clinical diagnoses and patient priorities (with 34.7% focusing on sexual function and aesthetics) confirms that traditional urogynecology often overlooks the aspects most significant to women's quality of life.
Concluding message
Modern pelvic floor rehabilitation must evolve from isolated muscle training toward a comprehensive multidisciplinary model, where muscle tone normalization, CPPS therapy, and a focus on sexual well-being are prioritized. The future of treating pelvic dysfunctions extends beyond operating rooms and clinical settings: it integrates into daily life through smartphones, merging evidence-based physiotherapy, artificial intelligence, and deep personalization of a woman's individual needs.