Abstract
Study Objective
To determine the prevalence and awareness of pelvic floor disorder symptoms among
female adolescents.
Design
Cross-sectional study via a written, anonymous survey of adolescents. The survey was
composed of validated measures for determination of symptom prevalence.
Setting
Pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic in the southeast United States.
Participants
Female adolescents ages 14-21 years.
Interventions
None.
Main Outcome Measures
We used χ2 analyses for categorical variables and t test for continuous variables.
Results
Two hundred sixteen questionnaires were completed. The mean age of respondents was
17.1 (±2.1) years and most respondents had at least heard about urinary (UI) and fecal
incontinence (FI; 62.9%). The prevalence of any UI was 31.5%. Urgency UI (UUI) was
reported by 15.7% and stress UI was reported by 6.9% of adolescents; 8.8% of participants
experienced UUI and stress UI symptoms. FI and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms were
reported by 0.9%. There were no differences in reported prevalence rates of UI (31.7%
vs 27.9%), FI (1.4% vs 0%), or pelvic organ prolapse (1.4% vs 0%) between younger
(14-17 years) and older (18-21 years) adolescent participants, respectively (all P > .05). Although UI was fairly prevalent among respondents, most stated that it had
a minimal effect on daily living.
Conclusion
UI symptoms were common among female adolescents, with UUI being the most reported.
Early education regarding pelvic floor disorder symptoms might lead to prevention
or empowerment to seek treatment as adolescents age.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 05, 2018
Footnotes
The authors indicate no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.
