Frequently Asked Questions
Pelvic Floor FAQs
There are many contributing factors to pelvic floor disorders, and almost all of them are beyond your control. Although more common in women who have given birth vaginally, pelvic floor disorders can also affect women who have never been pregnant. And, they affect women of all ages. Other contributing factors include chronic constipation, chronic cough, repetitive heavy lifting, pelvic tumors, excessive weight, weakening of the connective tissues over time, as well as genetics.
- Problems controlling bladder and bowels that include urine, bowel gas or stool leakage
- Difficulty emptying bladder or having a bowel movement
- Problems controlling urinary frequency
- Recurrent bladder or urinary tract infections
- Feelings of heaviness, sagging, bulging or even dropping in the pelvic area
- Feel or see tissue coming out of the vagina
The most common kinds of pelvic floor disorders are
- Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Bowel control problems
While these conditions may be difficult or embarrassing to deal with, the good news is that there are many non-surgical and surgical treatment options available.
While some cases of pelvic organ disorder are unavoidable, there are things you can do that may help decrease your chances of developing a condition.
- Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by doing regular Kegel exercises.
- Stay at a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
- Resolve constipation issues because excessive straining can weaken the pelvic muscles. Speak with your doctor about constipation, making dietary changes and increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.
- Quit smoking. Smoking may cause a chronic cough that weakens your pelvic muscles. Smoking also weakens the tissues that support your pelvic organs. If you smoke, ask your physician about strategies to quit.
- Limit the amount of heavy lifting you do. Speak with your specialist about lifting techniques that won't put as much stress on your pelvic muscles.
Many pelvic floor conditions are interrelated, so your diagnosis and treatment may begin with one specialist and continue with another. That is why our Pelvic Health Program is a multidisciplinary team of specialists that include urogynecologists, urologists, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, physical therapists, and nurses.
If you need to see a doctor who specializes in pelvic floor disorders, ask your primary care physician for a referral. It is important that you find someone who is experienced and who you feel comfortable with. At BIDMC, our goal is to provide the best experience possible for our patients and their families.