Associated Factors with Pelvic Floor Disorders Among Iranian Women: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran

3 Iran Hospital, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran

4 Department of Midwifery, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

5 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 Student Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.48305/jims.v43.i833.1247

Abstract

Background: Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are common health problems among women that can significantly impact quality of life. In Iran, due to cultural and social factors, these conditions are often underdiagnosed or undertreated. This systematic review aimed to identify the factors associated with PFDs among Iranian women.
Methods: This systematic review identified relevant studies through a comprehensive search of the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SID, Magiran, Irandoc databases, and the Google Scholar search engine, limited to Persian and English articles published up to May 31, 2025. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
Findings: A total of 30 studies (26 cross-sectional, 2 cohort, 1 case-control, and 1 longitudinal) involving 20,641 women were reviewed. The prevalence of PFDs ranged from 12.5% to 89%, with the most common types being urinary incontinence (12.5%–57.7%) and pelvic organ prolapse (13%–80.8%). Vaginal delivery, older age, higher BMI, and constipation were identified as the strongest risk factors, whereas cesarean delivery and higher educational degree were found to be protective factors.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of PFDs among Iranian women highlights the need for preventive interventions such as routine screening, public awareness, education on pelvic floor exercises, and nutritional management of constipation. Enhancing access to healthcare services and conducting further research on socioeconomic determinants are also recommended.

Highlights

Farinaz Rahimi: PubMed ,Google Scholar

Masoumeh Mobaraki: Google Scholar

Atefeh  Sholibor: Google Scholar

Nastaran Safavi Ardabili: PubMed ,Google Scholar

Fatemeh Abdi: PubMed ,Google Scholar

Fatemeh Alsadat Rahnemaei: PubMed ,Google Scholar

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 833
1st Week, December
November and December 2026
Pages 1247-1270

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  • Receive Date: 06 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 November 2025

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