Knowledge and Practices of Women Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Objective: the aim of the study is to investigate the knowledge and practice of women about pelvic floor muscle exercises (pfme). material-method: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 559 women who applied to outpatient clinics of gynecology- obstetrics and urology departments in trakya university hospital. the data were collected by a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. the data were evaluated by descriptive statistics and chi-square test. results: of the women, 92 (16.5%) had knowledge about ptke, and 93.5% of those correctly described the exercises, and 33.7% of those informed from internet. of the 92 women who have inform about pfme, 94.6% thought that ptfe increases muscle strength and prevents urine, gaita and gas leakage. of those 92 women, 43.5% performed pfme at any time in their life, and 30% performed pfme still. those women who implemented pfme performed it in order to prevent urinary incontinence (33.3%), and strengthening pelvic floor muscles (30.8%). however, when the ptfe practices were questioned by open-ended question (n=32); different and / or wrong applications were determined among women. of those respondents, 40.6% reported that they applied pfme by swelling and loosening the muscles of the vagina and / or abdomen. conclusions: majority of women have no knowledge about ptke. a small number of women practice ptfe and they performed pfme different and / or wrong. therefore, it is necessary for women to be informed about pelvic floor health and pfme.