In a meta-analysis, Lian and associates (2017) evaluated the effects of bariatric surgery on PFD in obese women. These researchers carried out a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI and CBM databases up to October 2016, and studies reporting pre-operative and post-operative outcomes in obese women undergoing bariatric surgery were included. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), the Pelvic Floor Incontinence Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence short form score were used for evaluating pelvic floor dysfunction after bariatric surgery. A total of 11 cohort studies were finally included. Pooled results revealed that bariatric surgery was associated with a significant improvement in PFD for obese women on the whole [PFDI-20: standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.89, 95 % CI: 0.44 to 1.34), p < 0.001; PFIQ-7: SMD = 1.23, 95 % CI: 0.17 to 2.29), p = 0.023]. In the subscale analysis, there was significant improvement in UI and pelvic organ prolapse. However, no significant improvement was found in fecal incontinence and sexual function. The authors concluded that bariatric surgery is associated with significant improvement in UI, and has a benefit on pelvic organ prolapse for obese women. However, there is no significant improvement in fecal incontinence and sexual function. These investigators stated that further multi-center, large-scale and longer-term RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.