Effects of postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation at different times on urinary incontinence and sexual life quality

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation at different times on urinary incontinence and sexual lifequality. Methods 452 singleton full-term primiparae were collected. Using random number table method, they were divided into a control group (n=150), a postpartum 7 days group (n=151), and a postpartum 42 days group (n=151). The control group was given routine postpartum health education; in addition, the postpartum 7 days group was given pelvic floor rehabilitation 7 days after delivery and the postpartum 42days group 42 days with low-frequency neuromuscular stimulation therapy and biofeedback therapy. The occurrence of UI, the improvement of type I and II muscle fibers and sexual life quality 3 and 12 months after treatment were compared among the three groups. Results 3 and 12 months after treatment, the incidences of postpartum UI were 5.3% and 2.0% in the postpartum 7 days group, were 15.2% and 10.6% in the postpartum 42 days group, and were 25.3% and 20.0% in the control group (P<0.05) . The strength of type I and II muscle fibers was significantly higher in the the postpartum 7 days group and the postpartum 42 days group than in control group (P<0.05). The incidence of UI was significantly lower in the postpartum 7 days group than in the postpartum 42 days group (P<0.05). The strength of type Ⅰ and Ⅱ muscle fibers was significantly higher in the postpartum 7 days group than in postpartum 42 days group (P<0.05). The scores of postpartum anxiety, communication, body image, sexual attitudes, sexual response, sexual satisfaction were improved significantly more in the postpartum 7 days group and the postpartum 42 days group than in the control group (P<0.05) and more in the postpartum 7 days group than in the postpartum 42 days group (P<0.05) . Conclusions Early pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment can effectively improve postpartum pelvic floor type I and II muscle strength, reduce the incidence of UI, and improve the postpartum sexual life quality. Pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment 7 days after delivery is significantly more effective, so it is worth being clinically generalized. Key words: Postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation; Urinary incontinence; Sexual life quality