Perineometer and digital examination for assessment of pelvic floor strength

Abstract

Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction may cause severe problems in women such as fecal and urinary incontinence and anorgasm which decrease quality of life. Vaginal palpation is commonly used to evaluate pelvic floor strength and to teach patients correct pelvic floor muscle contraction. Vaginal palpation provides subjective data in evaluating pelvic floor muscle strength; however instruments such as a perineometer may yield objective data. In this study results from palpation test were compared with measurements of vaginal squeezing pressure using a perineometer and the role of digital examination in the assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength and correlation of simple techniques were investigated. (excerpt)