The Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis that provides support for a woman’s internal organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum.
A pelvic floor disorder occurs when women have weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue due to excessive strain on the pelvis due to childbirth, repeated strenuous activity, menopause, chronic disease, or pelvic surgery. Other factors that can weaken the pelvic floor include repetitive heavy lifting, excessive weight, tobacco use, and genetics. (source)
What are some of the problems that arise from damage to the pelvic floor?
Incontinence
Loss of bladder or bowel control, leakage of urine or feces.
Prolapse
Pelvic prolapse is the descent of pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, vagina, or rectum). A bulge or extreme pressure may be a sign of this. Learn how to reduce your risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse.
Emptying Disorders
Difficulty urinating or moving bowels
Pain
Generally when we are in pain, our body is letting us know that something is wrong. Depending on the source of the pain, a urogynecologist can relieve discomfort in the lower back, pelvis, bladder, or urethra.
Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder is a general term that could be many things. This can be the frequent need to void the bladder, bladder pressure, sudden urgency to relieve the bladder, and urge incontinence (difficulty holding back urine when having the urge to urinate). Take the bladder control quiz
Fistulas
An obstetric fistula is an abnormal hole between the vagina and rectum, vagina and urethra, or the vagina and the bladder.
Sexual
A Urogynecologist can help explain and treat discomfort or pain during or after intercourse, lack of desire, climax, and many other things.