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A Gynecology Specialists note: Below is an excellent article from the American Urogynecologic Society that separates fact from fiction when it comes to pelvic floor disorders. For decades, our Gyn doctors have been helping women with pelvic floor disorders. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221.
1. One in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder (PFD) in her lifetime.
Answer: True. PFDs occur when women have weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue, which may cause pelvic organ prolapse, bladder control problems, or bowel control problems.
2. PFDs include bladder control problems, bowel control problems, and pelvic organ prolapse.
Answer: True.
- Pelvic organ prolapse is the dropping of the bladder, urethra, cervix and rectum caused by the loss of normal support of the vagina. In severe cases, women may feel bulging tissue protruding through the opening of the vagina.
- Bladder control problems include the inability to hold urine long enough to reach the restroom (urge incontinence), frequent urination during the day and night (urge frequency), and urine leakage caused by increased abdominal pressure (stress incontinence). Urgency frequency and urge incontinence are also defined as overactive bladder.
- Bowel control problems include the loss of normal control of the bowels that can lead to constipation or fecal incontinence (FI). FI — leakage of solid or liquid stool or gas — is also called anal incontinence (AI) and accidental bowel leakage (ABL).
3. Exercise, coughing, laughing, sneezing, caffeine, age, vaginal childbirth, emotional stress, and ethnicity can all affect a PFD.
Answer: True.
4. Surgery is the only way to fix a PFD unless you want to just wear pads.
Answer: False. Women do not have to suffer in silence or simply manage a PFD with pads. There are several non-surgical and surgical treatment options. PFDs can be effectively treated by working with a Gyn doctor to develop a treatment plan for your individual needs.
5. PFDs are a normal part of aging.
Answer: False. PFDs are not a normal part of aging, although they become more common as women get older. With the help of a Gyn doctor, there are effective treatments for PFDs.
6. Having children increases the risk of suffering from PFDs.
Answer: True. Childbirth can contribute to the development of PFDs. Vaginal births double the rate of pelvic floor disorders compared to Cesarean deliveries or women who never gave birth.
Please contact our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221 if you have any questions.
