Effects of Age on the Levator Ani Muscle of Nulliparous Women

The purpose of the study is to characterize the levator ani structures (pubovaginalis, puboperinealis, puboanalis, puborectalis, and the iliococcygeous) using 3-D ultrasonography in nulliparous women 21-70 years old. Hypothesis 1: Prevalence of abnormalities in levator ani muscle structure will be associated with increasing age independent of vaginal parity. To investigate the age-related symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in nulliparous, women 21-70 years old. Hypothesis 2: Anatomical abnormalities of the levator ani muscles will be associated with symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunction. To investigate the age-related pelvic floor function in nulliparous, women 21-70 years old. Hypothesis 3: Age-related anatomical abnormalities of the levator ani muscles will be associated with levator ani muscle weakness.