Incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are affecting thousands of women decades after they give birth, according to new research led by Glasgow Caledonian University researchers.

The study found 61% of surveyed women who gave birth between 20 and 26 years ago had recently experienced urinary incontinence, while 22% had experienced faecal incontinence and 17% had prolapse symptoms.

Researchers have said the findings send “a clear message” to women and healthcare professionals that preventative measures are important.

Professor Suzanne Hagen, who works in Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Health and Life Sciences, said the “pretty stark” findings show the distressing short and long-term effects of pelvic floor problems for women who have given birth:

“This was a unique study that really delved into the extent of the problem and the findings were pretty stark for all women after childbirth, regardless of how they had their babies.

“What came out loud and clear from this research was that pelvic floor problems which can have distressing effects for women are really common, in the long as well as short term, after giving birth with over half the women involved in the study reporting symptoms, but I was particularly surprised by the high rate of faecal incontinence, which was reported by 22% of women, compared to 13% at the previous survey a decade before.

“I’m sure this will come as a surprise to a lot of people.”

Research led by Professor Hagen and Professor Carol Bugge of GCU last year showed the potential benefits of at-home pessary care for women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Now, this collaborative research project has revealed that women who experienced spontaneous vaginal delivery had a higher rate of pelvic floor dysfunction compared to those who delivered only via c-section.

Although women who only ever had c-section deliveries had the lowest risk of urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and prolapse symptoms, their rates were still high, researchers said.

Meanwhile, women who had a forceps delivery were more likely to report faecal incontinence compared to women who had unassisted vaginal deliveries.

The team also found that the likelihood of reporting pelvic floor dysfunction or having worse pelvic organ prolapse symptoms was ‘significantly greater’ for women with a BMI of 40 or above.

Researchers explained that severe obesity puts women more at risk of incontinence and prolapse regardless of how they give birth, because of the pressure extra weight puta on the pelvic floor.

The study said healthcare professionals should support women with high BMIs to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction, since this is a more modifiable risk factor than mode of delivery.

The paper also outlined the importance of women being encouraged ‘not to accept’ pelvic floor dysfunction as a normal consequence of childbirth and ageing.

Professor Hagen said:

“The findings send a clear message to women and healthcare professionals that preventative measures are important.

“Women discuss with their maternity practitioners their childbirth choices, but they can also modify their lifestyle to keep a healthy weight and practice pelvic floor muscle exercises to keep pelvic health problems at bay.

“Losing weight if required can reduce the risk of urinary and faecal incontinence, and prolapse by reducing the downward pressure on the pelvic organs.”

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