Evolution of mechanical properties with pathology & aging: application to pelvic tissues?

This chapter will review the available literature on the impact of pathology and aging on the mechanical properties of female pelvic tissues. It will first focus on the major tissue constituents, their contributions to the mechanical properties of tissues, and the impact of pathologies and aging that are specific to these constituents. The next major focus of this chapter will be pathologies, and their impact on mechanical properties of tissues that are specific to pelvic tissues and which predominately effect women, namely pelvic floor disorders, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. These pathologies are mechanical in nature, largely multifactorial in etiology, and warrant research. In addition, pregnancy, though certainly not a pathology, is often associated with tremendous changes in the mechanical properties of pelvic tissues, which are likely consequential in the prevention of injury during birthing and the development of future pathologies. It is hoped that the information provided here, while certainly not all-encompassing, lends some background and context for the reader on the impact of pathology and aging on the mechanical properties of female pelvic tissues.