What are Pelvic Floor Disorders?
You probably had a better quality of life before you experienced the symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder. At Essential Women's Health Associates in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, we offer both conservative and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders of the vagina, bladder, rectum, and uterus when they drop into a lower position than normal. The symptoms of pelvic floor disorders can be generalized as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region. However, there are specific areas that have their own complex symptoms:
Bladder
With a bladder prolapse, your actual bladder may fall into your rectal or vaginal area. This can cause urinary incontinence, bladder infections, a frequent need for urination, and more.
Rectum
You may feel continuous pressure or a bulge within your rectum from the vagina. You may also have a hard time with constipation, have recurrent bowel obstructions or fecal incontinence, have no control when passing gas, and endure an inability to push out a bowel movement without assistance.
Uterus
Your weak pelvic floor muscles may be so atrophied that they will no longer support your uterus, which may make it fall down into your vagina.
Vagina
You may have a difficult time enjoying sexual intercourse because of the pain a prolapsed vagina causes inside and outside of your body.
If you would like to talk to a specialist about your pelvic organ prolapse, you can count on our board-certified or board-eligible OBGYNs at Essential Women's Health Associates with decades of urogynecology and surgical experience. We offer consultations for female pelvic organ reconstruction and the repair of a prolapsed pelvic floor. If you would like to have a conversation with a compassionate, caring OBGYN about your feminine health and surrounding organs, please request an appointment today.
Reviews
What Causes Pelvic Pain Disorders?
Our team at Essential Women's Health Associates sees women of all ages with the symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder. Having a baby vaginally is a major cause for pelvic floor disorder cases, but there are many more ways to weaken the pelvic floor. Women can diminish the strength of the pelvic floor muscles by:
- Having one or multiple pregnancies (with or without a vaginal birth)
- Being overweight, obese, or morbidly obese
- Enduring a severe injury to your pelvic region
- Developing nerve damage in the pelvic floor muscles
- Any type of surgery within the pelvis, such as a hysterectomy
Pelvic floor disorders can develop organ distention where the bladder, uterus, vagina, or rectum is visible on the outside of the body.
How Are Pelvic Floor Disorders Diagnosed?
Pelvic floor disorders are typically diagnosed with a physical examination and a review of symptoms and medical history by an OBGYN at Essential Women’s Health Associates. As part of the diagnosis you may also receive one or more of the following tests:
- Cystoscopy: examines the inside of the bladder
- Urinalysis: tests urine for any issues
- Urodynamics: evaluates the function of the bladder and urethra
- Anal manometry: tests the strength of the anal sphincter muscles
- Colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy: evaluates the colon or pelvic colon for disease or inflammation
- Dynamic defecography: tests the function of the pelvic floor and rectum while defecating
How are Pelvic Pain Disorders Treated?
Your OBGYN will perform imaging, physical and pelvic exams, and more to provide you with a diagnosis and specific treatment information you need to make a decision on how to treat it. Your recommendations may include:
Behavior modifications
- Living at a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet that does not aggravate your digestive tract
- Getting light to moderate amounts of exercise
- Not lifting heavy weights
- Doing routine Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic floor therapies
- Attending biofeedback therapy appointments or pelvic floor electrical stimulation/neurostimulation (InterStim) sessions
- Getting bulking agent injections
Surgeries
- Having pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery
- Repairing your pelvic floor for bowel or bladder incontinence
How can I ease the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disorders?
While we can provide you with treatment and medication management when it comes to acute or chronic bladder disorders, there are natural ways to ease your symptoms, such as:
- Avoiding triggers, like diuretics, caffeine, medications, and foods, that aggravate or cause bloat
- Losing weight so that the excess pounds in your midsection are not putting undue pressure on your organs
- Performing daily pelvic floor muscle exercises and Kegels (as directed)
If you are unsure how to avoid pelvic floor disorder triggers, we can have an in-depth conversation about getting the most out of your treatment.
Pelvic floor disorder FAQs
How do I recognize urinary incontinence?
There are several ways to recognize urinary incontinence. One way is to monitor your daily activities and how often you have to go to the bathroom. If you find that you have to go more frequently than usual or that you are leaking urine when coughing or exercising, this may be a sign of incontinence. This is just one symptom of a pelvic floor disorder.
When should I see a health care professional?
Pelvic floor disorders can have a significant impact on your quality of life. You should call Essential Women's Health Associates if you have pelvic pressure, recurrent bowel obstructions, urinary incontinence, or any other concerns about your body. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and offer comprehensive treatment options designed to make you feel better.
Why choose us for pelvic floor disorders?
The pelvic floor is a complicated area of the body, and we have the experience and expertise to properly diagnose and treat all types of disorders. Our team in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, offers comprehensive care, including conservative treatments to minimally invasive procedures. We always provide the best possible care so you can live your life to the fullest.
Can younger women experience pelvic floor disorders?
Yes, while pelvic floor disorders are more common with age or after childbirth, younger women can also experience these issues due to factors like high-impact sports, injury, or congenital weaknesses in the pelvic muscles.
Are pelvic floor disorders only a concern for women who have had children?
No, pelvic floor disorders can affect any woman, even those who haven't experienced childbirth. Factors like aging, genetics, obesity, and chronic medical conditions can also weaken pelvic muscles and lead to these disorders.
What types of exercises help with pelvic floor disorders?
Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, are commonly recommended to strengthen the pelvic muscles. Working with a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor therapy can provide guidance on proper techniques and additional exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and core strengthening.
TO Your Female Health
Learn more about your options in pelvic floor disorders at a consultation in a private treatment room at Essential Women's Health Associates in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV. Disorders of the pelvic floor are uncomfortable and can interfere in many aspects of your life. Make an appointment today, and we will lead you to enjoy a healthier, less discomforting life.
