Differences in help-seeking behaviour between men and women with multiple pelvic floor symptoms:a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor symptoms, such as lower urinary tract symptoms, defecation problems, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse in females, are common and frequently co-occur. Despite negatively affecting quality of life, few patients seek help. Most studies assessing help-seeking behaviour have focused on a single pelvic floor symptom.AIM: We aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of help-seeking behaviour in males and females with at least two pelvic floor symptoms.METHOD: This interview study included participants based on age and symptoms (number and type) from a larger group taking part in a survey on pelvic floor symptoms in the general population. Two researchers independently encoded and analysed the semi-structured interviews, continuing until saturation for both the male and female cohorts.RESULTS: Of the 25 participants (13 male, 12 female), 9 sought help for all of their pelvic floor symptoms, 10 did not seek help for any symptom, and 6 sought help for some of their pelvic floor symptoms. We identified themes in domains related to the patient, healthcare professional, environment, and symptom. Although most themes applied to both males and females, some had greater sex specificity.CONCLUSION: Males and females have more similarities than differences in help-seeking behaviour. Healthcare providers should be aware that patients who seek help for one symptom probably have multiple pelvic floor symptoms that the patient has not reported.