Cardiovascular responses to pelvic floor muscle contraction in healthy women: Prospective study

Author(s)

Bastos, Alana Maria G. ; Catai, Aparecida M. ; Jurgensen, Soraia P. ; Correia, Grasiela N. ; Pereira-Baldon, Vanessa S. ; Perseguini, Natalia ; Borghi-Silva, Audrey ; Driusso, Patricia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY; v. 252, p. 7-pg., 2020-09-01.

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the acute heart rate and blood pressure responses to two protocols of pelvic floor muscles contractions in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: Fifty-four women without pelvic floor muscles disorders were eligible and allocated into two groups: premenopausal and postmenopausal. The groups underwent two protocols and the pelvic floor muscle endurance, heart rate, and blood pressure values were monitored. Both protocols included 10 pelvic floor muscles contractions; one series contained contractions lasting 5 s with 5 s of rest between each contraction and the other series contained contractions lasting 10 s with 10 s of rest. Results: In both groups, there was a significant increase in the heart rate during pelvic floor muscles contractions (premenopausal: 71.0 +/- 7.3 and 80.3 +/- 7.7; postmenopausal: 65.4 +/- 6.6 and 73.6 +/- 6.6, at rest and contractions peak, respectively) and in systolic blood pressure immediately after the contractions. The observed values during exercise returned to basal values seconds after the contractions. A positive correlation between heart rate and vaginal squeeze pressure (r = 0.45, p = 0.0007 and r = 0.48, p = 0.0003, 5 and 10-s series, respectively) was observed. Conclusion: The proposed protocol of isometric pelvic floor muscles contractions caused an increase in heart rate and blood pressure within the normal range and might not represent a cardiovascular risk for healthy postmenopausal women without urinary incontinence and without cardiovascular dysfunctions. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/20046-0 - Evaluation of heart rate response, blood pressure and heart rate variability during pelvic floor muscles contraction
• Grantee: Patricia Driusso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants