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The Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Impact of Female GU and Pelvic Floor Disorders

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Female Genitourinary and Pelvic Floor Reconstruction

Abstract

At least 24% of women in the United States suffer from pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), which include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and other lower urinary tract symptoms. PFDs predominantly affect women as they age and can often remain undiagnosed or undertreated. Despite the high prevalence of PFDs, they are not frequently discussed due to patient embarrassment and lack of community awareness of these conditions. PFDs have a significant impact on quality of life, negatively affecting one’s social life, participation in recreational activities, and emotional health. This chapter will focus on the epidemiology and economic costs of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, including stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence, and mixed urinary incontinence. Topics to be highlighted include the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and associations of disease with race and ethnicity. The cost burdens associated with PFDs are complex and include both direct and indirect factors. The demand for medical services to treat these conditions will continue to grow with the aging population.

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Gonzalez, G., Anger, J.T. (2023). The Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Impact of Female GU and Pelvic Floor Disorders. In: Martins, F.E., Holm, H.V., Sandhu, J.S., McCammon, K.A. (eds) Female Genitourinary and Pelvic Floor Reconstruction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19598-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-19598-3_5

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