Covid-19, pelvic health, and women’s voices: A descriptive study

OBJECTIVE: To examine how the pandemic affected women with pelvic dysfunction. METHODS: A Survey Monkey™ online questionnaire on how the pandemic and Covid-19 infection affected women’s pelvic problems, exercise, and weight. A free text box captured their comments. RESULTS: Six hundred and forty-seven women took part. Bladder control 265 (41%), prolapse 240 (37%), pelvic pain 40 (6%), sexual dysfunction 27 (4%), faecal incontinence 19 (3%) and other symptoms 56 (9%) were women’s main pelvic problems. Symptoms were unchanged for 331 (51%), worse for 243 (38%), and improved for 60 (10%). Weight was gained by 290 (45%), unchanged by 243 (38%), and lost by 114 (17%). Exercise levels were unchanged, worse, or better in 33% each. Access to medical appointments and date for surgery were difficult for 235 (36.5%) and 38 (6%) women respectively. Sixty-six (10.3%) women reported Covid-19 infection: the distribution of pelvic problems and changes through the pandemic, weight and exercise patterns, and difficulty accessing a date for surgery or healthcare were similar to those not contracting infection. Sexual dysfunction was the main new or worsening problem, featuring 13 women (18%). Seventy women — 16 postnatal, and 54 with a pre-existing pelvic problem commented. Five core themes were identified. Difficulty accessing healthcare review, mental health impact and physiotherapy services especially affected delivered women: lifestyle alterations and conservative treatment tools were prominent in women with a pre-existing problem. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor dysfunction adversely affected women’s mental health in the pandemic through limiting their ability to exercise. Furthermore, the pandemic exposed the fact that female pelvic health services are not readily available to those in need: many women particularly postnatally received no care. Sexual dysfunction was a feature of recovery from Covid infection in this study.