Aging effects of the female pelvis and organ endo-pelvic fascia space as shown by novel MRI measurements

This study investigated age-related anatomical changes in female pelvic structures using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), aiming to identify factors contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study including pelvic MRI data from 120 asymptomatic women (aged 15-74 years), divided into 6 age groups at 10-year intervals. Measured parameters included pubic symphysis inclination angle, anterior bladder space area, puborectal muscle pinch angle, and rectovaginal-anal levator gap area. All parameters demonstrated significant age-related trends. The pubic symphysis inclination angle increased progressively, reaching its highest mean value in women aged 65 to 74 years (51.8° vs 41.2° in the 15-24 group, P < .05). The anterior bladder space area was significantly larger in women ≥45 years (mean 7.9 cm²) compared with those