Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction among Women in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in women is attributed to several disorders that affect the supporting structures of the female pelvic organs and cause urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. Studies indicate a significant global prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction, affecting almost half of the women worldwide. At the same time, the complex underlying mechanisms and specific risk factors remain complex. Methods and Results: The cross-sectional study involved 427 women in the Qassim region. The study utilized a convenience sampling technique to recruit participants. The questionnaire, covering socio-demographic data, clinical characteristics, and risk factors, was distributed online through social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. The four components of PFD (sexual function, bowel function, prolapse symptoms, and bladder function) were analyzed. The prevalence of sexual function, bowel function, prolapse symptoms, and bladder function were 42.5%, 42.8%, 58.2%, and 63.3%, respectively. In each group, there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in the following areas: age at first pregnancy, history of abdominal or perineal surgery, history of using laxatives and non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicine, and prevalence of bowel dysfunctions. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of PFD among women in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Targeted public health interventions and the development of clinical guidelines for effective prevention and treatment of PFD are reasonable and necessary.