The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Pelvic Floor Disorders

Disorders of the female pelvic floor are common, negatively impact quality of life, and encompass a broad group of structural and functional diagnoses. Their variety is owed largely to the close anatomic relationships between the various organs in the female pelvis. Historically, the pelvic floor was described as consisting of three distinct compartments, each with its own responsible medical specialist. However, as our understanding of the natural history of pelvic floor disorders has evolved, we have come to understand that many of these diagnoses share common etiologic factors and very often coexist. This understanding has prompted development of a model of multidisciplinary care for patients with pelvic floor disorders which is quickly gaining attention around the world for its patient-centered approach to care. The model may also improve research recruitment, help with standardization of terminology across medical specialties, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of workup and diagnosis. Therefore, what has historically been a siloed approach to pelvic floor disorders may better serve patients and providers if restructured into a cohesive, multispecialty model.