Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices of women in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia, regarding pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) as well as the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in this population.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 400 women aged 18-52 years in Makkah city. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to pregnant women via social media. The survey included demographic characteristics, prevalence of PFD symptoms, and awareness of pelvic floor exercises.
Results: The study revealed that 64.3% of participants were unaware of PFME, and 72.0% had poor overall knowledge. Although 93.5% of women believed PFMEs were beneficial, misconceptions about their function and proper technique were prevalent. Only 24.0% of women performed PFMEs regularly, while 42.8% did not practice them at all. A highly significant association was found between knowledge and practice levels (p-value = 0.001); women with higher education and prior awareness were more likely to practice pelvic floor exercises (30.6%). Among the participants, 41.7% reported experiencing significant urinary incontinence, and 60.0% had defecation-related symptoms. Additionally, 70.3% reported improved general health with PFMEs, particularly in sexual satisfaction (61.0%) and pelvic pain relief (48.3%).
Conclusion: The findings indicated a clear lack of knowledge and practice of PFMEs among women in Makkah city, despite their potential benefits. Improving educational and healthcare support is crucial to reducing pelvic floor dysfunction and improving maternal health outcomes.

Key words: Knowledge, practice, pregnant women, Saudi Arabia, pelvic floor muscle exercises