The role of partial denervation of the pelvic floor in the aetiology of genitourinary prolapse and stress incontinence of urine. A neurophysiological study.

Single-fibre electromyography of the pubococcygeus muscle of the pelvic floor was performed in 69 asymptomatic women and 105 women with stress incontinence of urine or genitourinary prolapse or both. The results suggest that partial denervation of the pelvic floor with subsequent reinnervation is a normal accompaniment of ageing and is increased by childbirth. Women with stress incontinence of urine or genitourinary prolapse or both have a significant increase in denervation of the pelvic floor compared with asymptomatic women.