Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Nulliparous Pregnant Women in Isfahan, Iran, in 2024



Zafarbakhsh A ; Hajhashemi M ; Marani M ; Mansouri A ; Haghollahi F
Source: Tehran University Medical Journal Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic floor organ prolapse, are common problems during pregnancy that have a significant impact on women's quality of life. Given the lack of comprehensive studies in the population of Iranian primiparous pregnant women, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of these disorders and their relationship with the trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 425 primiparous pregnant women aged at least 18 years and singleton pregnancy in 1403. Sampling was conducted using the available method from selected health centers in Isfahan and clinics of Al-Zahra and Shahid Beheshti hospitals. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a standard PFDI-20 questionnaire. The severity of the disorders was classified into three degrees: mild, moderate, and severe and asymptomatic. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test in SPSS version 26. Results: Of 425 primiparous pregnant women, the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 65.88% (280 women), prolapse was 67.5% (287 women), and fecal incontinence was 43.1% (183 women). More than one-third of the women (34.59%) had two or three concurrent disorders. Chi-square test showed a significant association between trimester of pregnancy and severity of all three disorders (P<0.001), such that as pregnancy progressed to the third trimester, the frequency of moderate and severe degrees increased and the percentage of asymptomatic cases decreased. Conclusion: The high prevalence of pelvic floor disorders, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, and the significant frequency of concomitant disorders, highlight the need for regular screening and preventive interventions during pregnancy, especially in primiparous women. Prospective studies are recommended to investigate the risk factors and long-term consequences of these disorders. Copyright © 2026 Zafarbakhsh et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.