Post Partum Incontinence & Prolapse. Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment State of the Art Lecture 1
	Wednesday 7th October 2026
	11:00 - 11:30
	Plenary Hall 1
	C Cristina Ros Cerro Speaker

Postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are highly prevalent and have a major impact on quality of life, yet are often normalized. This talk will synthesize recent evidence on prevalence, pathophysiology and management in the postpartum period, integrating new data from a dedicated perineal clinic.

Recent meta-analyses estimate postpartum UI in roughly one in four women, with stress UI predominating and clear associations with higher maternal age, BMI, vaginal birth, instrumental delivery, macrosomia and prior UI. Cross sectional data also show early postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction and coexisting POP in a substantial minority.

Electrophysiology and imaging studies highlight transient impairment of pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance, and early POP or organ descent that often partially recovers over the first year. The reversible component relates to muscle injury, neuromuscular fatigue and connective tissue laxity, distinguishing early postpartum from later-life.

Antenatal and postpartum pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) reduce postpartum UI, with more modest and inconclusive effects on POP.

Finally, I will present real world data from a specialized perineal clinic, illustrating trajectories of recovery, adherence to conservative programmes and practical thresholds for when to reassure, intensify rehabilitation or escalate care in the postpartum setting.