BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition characterized by the failure of various anatomic structures to support the pelvic viscera. There has been a growing interest in the understanding of the underlying structural alterations in the pelvic floor, and the use of 2D and 3D transperineal ultrasound has recently been shown to be able to determine biometric indices of the levator hiatus and pubovisceral muscle.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the morphological features and biometric parameters of the pelvic floor of patients with pelvic organ prolapse with age-matched controls using 2D and 3D transperineal ultrasound.
METHODOLOGY: In a prospective case control study, 35 patients with prolapse and 25 asymptomatic controls were assessed. Bladder symphyseal distance (BSD), bladder neck descent, angle of urethral inclination, retrovesical angle, bladder wall thickness and quantification of prolapse were measured on rest and valsalva maneuver on 2D ultrasound. Anteroposterior and lateral diameters, as well as pubovisceral muscle thickness was measured on rest and valsalva on 3D ultrasound.
RESULTS: BSD was significantly lower in the prolapse group (p=0001), while bladder wall thickness was significantly higher (p=0024). AP and lateral diameters were significantly higher in the prolapse group both at rest and on valsalva, showing that there is significant correlation with increased diameters at rest and pelvic organ descent. Pubovisceral muscle thickness was lower in the prolapse group compared to controls both at rest and on valsalva.
CONCLUSION: Levator hiatal dimensions and biometry indices of the pubovisceral muscle can be determined using 2D and 3D transperineal ultrasound. There is significant correlation between anteroposterior and lateral diameters, as well as pubovisceral thickness, with pelvic organ descent.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Pelvic Floor ; Urinary Bladder ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Viscera ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse ; Urethra ; Ultrasonography ; Abdominal Cavity ; Biometry

Background: In the Philippines, the extent to which hormonal contraceptives (HC) are used for reasons other than birth control is unknown. This study aims to examine how Filipino women use HC for contraceptive and non-contraceptive indications. Methods: This is Project 1 of a descriptive cross-sectional study involving a hospital-based (Project 1) and community-based (Project 2) survey. The questionnaire is adapted from the Georgia Reproductive Health Survey (RHS) 2005 and The Fog Zone 2009 from Guttmacher Institute. A face-to-face questionnaire collected demographic information and issues related to knowledge, attitude and experience in HC use among 15-45-year old Filipino women (n=244) seen at the Gynecologic Outpatient Department of the Philippine General Hospital. Results: Filipino women showed positive attitudes towards efficacy and safety of HC, which positively correlated with patterns of use. Majority possessed little knowledge regarding OCPs (82%), injectables (56%), and IUDs (39%). The major reasons for HC use were contraception (46%) and menstrual regulation (26%). Pills (77%) were most commonly utilized. A doctor’s recommendation (67%) primarily influenced choice of HC. Four out of 10 reported some difficulty in HC use. Conclusion: Although with limited knowledge, Filipino women have positive attitude towards, and have utilized HC both for gynecologic and contraceptive purposes.
Contraceptive Agents ; Knowledge