Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis

Bladder outlet obstruction in painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis

“…Given the likely functional cause of the BOO seen in these women with PBS/IC supported by other authors who have found significant pelvic floor dysfunction in this group 15 we suggest pelvic floor physical therapy, biofeedback, muscle relaxants or alpha blockers as possible non-invasive treatment regimens. These therapies have been shown to be effective in functional external sphincter nonrelaxation.…”

“…15 Other authors agree with the hypothesis that external sphincter spasticity syndrome 16 -18 or failure of pelvic floor relaxation 17,19 can arise from inflammatory conditions or pain in the lower urinary tract.…”

Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis and vulvodynia: a clinical correlation

“…In our study, the women with vulvodynia reported significantly more lifetime pelvic surgeries and greater levator pain levels than those without vulvodynia. Previously, we published our results reporting 87% of women with IC having levator pain [19]. In this study, those with greater levator pain had significantly more vulvar pain than those with less levator pain.…”

CUA guideline: Diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome

“…with 87% experiencing levator pain during pelvic examination. 18 Palpation of the levator muscles in both sexes, looking for tenderness, spasm/tight bands, and/or trigger points, is important for both diagnosis and treatment recommendations; pelvic floor or rectal spasms may respond well to pelvic floor physiotherapy. Hypo or hypersensitivity of the perineum, in combination with a weak or absent anal reflex, may suggest pudendal nerve entrapment.…”