What You Need to Know about Pelvic Floor Disorders

What is the pelvic floor?

The human pelvic floor consists of the pelvic muscles, ligaments, connective tissues and nerves. They are in charge of keeping the bladder, rectum, and other pelvic organs in place and helping those organs function properly. Women are at a higher risk of pelvic floor disorders.

What are pelvic floor disorders?

Pelvic floor disorders occur when the pelvic floor fails to support the pelvic organs. 3 main types of pelvic disorders include:

How do I know if I have pelvic floor disorders?

You may have pelvic floor disorders if you experience:

• Problems with your urination
• Constipation or painful bowel movements
• Vaginal pain or pressure
• Rectal pain or pressure
• A heavy feeling or a bulge in the pelvic area
• Pelvic muscle contractions

Do pelvic floor disorders come with old age?

While one is more likely to get pelvic floor disorders as they age, those pelvic conditions are not necessarily a part of aging and can be fixed with medical intervention.

Who is at risk of pelvic floor disorders?

Women who have given birth are more prone to pelvic floor disorders. The risk increases with the number of children a woman has. Those who are overweight or obese are also more likely to suffer pelvic floor disorders. If you have had pelvic surgery or radiation therapy to treat other health conditions, you may get pelvic floor disorders since your pelvic tissue could have been damaged during previous treatment. Lifestyles and genetic factors may play a role.

What are the treatment options for pelvic floor disorders?

Nonsurgical treatments include:

If the nonsurgical options do not work for you, your doctor may recommend surgery, especially the pelvic organ prolapse to repair the prolapse and reconstruct the pelvic muscle. Surgery is also beneficial for those who have bladder and bowel control problems. However, pelvic surgery may interfere with your ability to have children. It’s best to consult thoroughly with your doctor to weigh the pros against the cons and figure out the most suitable option for you.