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Pathophysiology of the Pelvic Floor: Basic Physiology, Effects of Ageing, and Menopausal Changes

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Book cover Pelvic Floor Disorders

Abstract

The etiologic risk factors and associations contributing to pelvic floor disorders include vaginal parity, ageing, hormonal status, pelvic surgery, collagen diseases, and depression. Many of these relationships, including hormonal status, are poorly understood. In addition, not all pelvic floor disorders are explained by the same risk factors or mechanisms. For example, vaginal parity appears to be the greatest risk factor for developing pelvic organ prolapse, while urinary incontinence has many other risks factors with equal or greater influence, including obesity and ageing. The basic mechanisms of disease and structural failure, both gross and microscopic, which lead to pelvic floor disorders need further investigation. A better understanding of the muscular, collagen, and neuronal components of the pelvic organs and their supports would provide targeted areas for prevention and treatment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Pelvic Floor Research Group, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Dee E. Fenner MD

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Yvonne Hsu MD

Authors
  1. Dee E. Fenner MD
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  2. Yvonne Hsu MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pelvic Floor Unit and Colorectal Service 1st Department of General Surgery, Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy

    Giulio Aniello Santoro (Head) (Head)

  2. Department of Pediatric Radiology Children’s Teaching Hospital, Skubiszewski Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

    Andrzej Paweł Wieczorek

  3. Diagnostic Imaging, Princess Grace Hospital, London, UK

    Clive I. Bartram

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Fenner, D.E., Hsu, Y. (2010). Pathophysiology of the Pelvic Floor: Basic Physiology, Effects of Ageing, and Menopausal Changes. In: Santoro, G.A., Wieczorek, A.P., Bartram, C.I. (eds) Pelvic Floor Disorders. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1542-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1542-5_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1541-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1542-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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