Risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction

Modifable risk factors

• A body mass index (BMI) over 25 kg/m2
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Constipation
• Diabetes

Non-modifiable risk factors

• Age (risk increases with increasing age)
• Family history of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder or faecal incontinence
• Gynaecological cancer and any treatments for this
• Gynaecological surgery (such as a hysterectomy)
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic respiratory disease and cough (chronic cough may increase the risk of faecal incontinence and flatus incontinence)

Related to pregnancy:

• Being over 30 years when having a baby
• Having given birth before their current pregnancy

Related to labor:

• Assisted vaginal birth (forceps or vacuum)
• A vaginal birth when the baby is lying face up (occipito-posterior)
• An active second stage of labour taking more than 1 hour
• Injury to the anal sphincter during birth