Investigation of pelvic floor muscle properties, assessment methods, and therapies in women with and without persistent pelvic pain

The aim of this thesis was to investigate pelvic floor muscle properties using transperineal ultrasound, specifically pelvic floor muscle tone in women with persistent pelvic pain, and to understand whether targeting pelvic floor muscle tone in treatment can reduce pelvic pain. Findings suggest that women with persistent pelvic pain have higher pelvic floor muscle tone than pain-free women. Pelvic floor physiotherapy program which includes pelvic floor muscle exercises and mindfulness could be a feasible and acceptable intervention, and it may reduce pelvic pain symptoms and normalise pelvic floor muscle tone in women with persistent pelvic pain, such as women with endometriosis- associated pelvic pain.