Prevalence and Awareness of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Adolescent Females Seeking Gynecologic Care.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and awareness of pelvic floor disorder (PFD) symptoms among adolescent females.

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 Interventions:None Main Outcome Measures:Chi-square analyses were used for categorical variables and t-test was used for continuous variables.

RESULTS: 216 questionnaires were completed. Mean age of respondents was 17.1±2.1 years and the majority of respondents had at least heard about urinary and fecal incontinence (UI, FI) (62.9%). The prevalence of any UI was 31.5 %. Urgency UI (UUI) was reported by 15.7% and stress UI (SUI) reported by 6.9 % of adolescents; 8.8% of participants experienced both UUI and SUI symptoms. Fecal incontinence (FI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) 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 POP (1.4% vs 0%) between younger (14-17) and older (18-21) adolescent participants, respectively (all p>0.05). Though urinary incontinence was fairly prevalent among respondents, the majority stated that it had minimal impact on daily living.

CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence symptoms were common among adolescent females, with UUI being the most reported. Early education regarding PF symptoms may lead to prevention or empowerment to seek treatment as adolescents age.