What's Up Down there?
“Do other women normally leak when they laugh?”
“I think my bladder is dropping!”
“My aunt had this procedure done for her bladder 20 years ago, and it hasn’t been helpful.”
There is a lot of misinformation surrounding pelvic floor disorders. The good news is that modern medicine has created many treatments for common pelvic floor conditions, including medication, physical therapy, safe procedures and minimally invasive surgery.
Pelvic floor and why we should be talking about it
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support the bottom of a woman’s pelvis. These pelvic floor is responsible for stabilization, continence and sexual function. These connective tissues and muscles can become weak or painful as we grow older, causing side effects that are disruptive to daily living. It’s important to have a discussion about pelvic floor health because it involves under-discussed, underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions that are much more common for women as we age. All too often as a society, we normalize uncomfortable symptoms instead of seeking help for prolonged, painful conditions. There are ways to make each woman feel better and increase her quality of life.
Common conditions affecting the pelvic floor
Urinary incontinence (lack of urine control).
Overactive bladder (frequent and sudden urge to urinate).
Pelvic organ prolapse (the dropping of pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, etc.).
Fecal incontinence (lack of control of stool).
Urinary tract infection (commonly called a UTI).
Interstitial cystitis (also known as painful bladder syndrome).
Female sexual dysfunction (including Dyspareunia or pain during intercourse, involuntary spasms and lack of interest).
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (often includes pain affecting pelvic floor muscles).
Vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis (pain of the vaginal and/or vulvar tissues).
Genital fistula (abnormal connection often between the vagina and bladder or vagina and bowel causing severe incontinence).
Why is pelvic floor health critical to women’s health?
Good pelvic floor health is critical to women’s health because it allows them to participate in the daily activities they enjoy without discomfort, fear of lack of urine control or painful side effects from pelvic floor disorders. For instance, urinary incontinence has been shown to be incredibly distressing to women. The stress from urinary incontinence may isolate women, causing issues from lack of socialization. There can be a sense of dissatisfaction and avoidance of once pleasurable activities like going to the gym, taking long car rides, and walking or hiking.
Pelvic floor condition diagnosis and treatment
Treatment varies widely depending on each patient’s needs and goals. For instance, urinary incontinence is different for each patient. One patient may only leak with vigorous exercise. Another patient may leak all day long with every cough, sneeze and movement they make. No amount of urinary incontinence is too small or too large for treatment. Therefore, if you are experiencing some of the above symptoms, consult your doctor.
Adapted From: Wellness
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