Understanding how pregnancy affects pelvic floor muscles
Official title: Multiscale Experimental and Computational Methods to Characterize Hormonal and Mechanical Contributions to Pregnancy-Induced Remodeling of Skeletal Muscle
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10866292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how pregnancy affects the muscles in the pelvic floor, especially how hormones and stretching can change these muscles, to help understand why some women experience pelvic floor issues after having a baby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $117,959 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD115224-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10866292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have experienced childbirth and may be suffering from pelvic floor disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not given birth or do not have pelvic floor disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the changes that occur in pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy, particularly focusing on how hormonal and mechanical factors contribute to these changes. By using cell cultures from female rat pelvic floor muscles, the study aims to analyze the effects of sex hormones and mechanical stretching on muscle growth and collagen production. The findings could provide insights into the causes of pelvic floor disorders, which are common among women after childbirth. The research employs advanced experimental and computational methods to simulate and characterize these remodeling processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for pelvic floor disorders in women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the biomechanics of pelvic floor muscles, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Routzong, Megan — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Routzong, Megan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.