Understanding Women's Treatment Preferences for Pelvic Floor Disorders [40F

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: One in four women 20-years and older have at least one pelvic floor disorder (PFD). Studies show there is a lack of awareness and incorrect perception of PFDs among women of all ages. These factors may affect how women treat PFDs. Therefore, this study assessed women of different ages and risk levels knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors around PFDs to understand treatment decisions. METHODS: Researchers sought and gained informed consent from women of varying ages, ethnicities, and risk levels to participate in qualitative one-on-one interviews (n=20) and a focus group (n=6). After data collection, the participants' data were split into four groups for thematic analysis: women under 50 without PFD (n=12), women under 50 with PFD (n=3), women 50 or over without PFD (n=2), and women 50 or over with PFD (n=9). RESULTS: Age and risk level were not variables in participants’ treatment decisions. The majority of participants were not aware PFDs are a medical issue; they were more likely to say that they wouldn’t seek treatment from physicians, instead saying they would just wear pads or do Kegels. Once participants were made aware of PFDs being a legitimate medical issue, factors like time, income, convenience/ease of use, and perceived efficacy were cited as prefaces to treatment. Generally, noninvasive measures were the first choice of women of each category. Four out of five women who had a PFD-related surgery regretted it. CONCLUSION: Women of all categories need to be better informed of PFDs by their gynecologists in order to make more informed treatment decisions.