Pelvic Floor Surgery in the Older Woman

Pelvic floor disorders including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence are common problems encountered by the older woman. With the increasing population of older Americans, healthcare providers can expect to provide evaluation and treatment of these conditions with increasing frequency. These conditions are amenable to both medical and surgical therapies. The older woman who undergoes surgery can expect similar risks and outcomes to that of younger women. Further research is required to more fully understand the functional, anatomic, and physiologic outcomes after treatment for pelvic floor disorders in the older woman.