Bowel Dysfunction

“Pelvic Floor” is the term used to describe the muscles, ligaments, connective tissues and nerves that support the organs of the pelvis—the bladder, the rectum, the uterus and the vagina—and hold them place. The pelvic floor also plays an important role in helping those organs to function properly by signaling and controlling the bladder, rectum and colon.

Over time and as a result of stressors such as pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken and ligaments can become stretched. This can lead to what’s known as a pelvic floor disorder. Women with pelvic floor disorders may suffer from any of the following common conditions:

Bladder Dysfunction such as stress incontinence, overactive bladder, voiding dysfunction, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), etc.
Bowel Dysfunction such as fecal incontinence or difficulty evacuating stools
Pelvic Organ Prolapse where organs of the pelvis fall ou tof place
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Female Sexual Dysfunction

Because nearly 30 percent of all women will develop a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime, there is now a subspecialty devoted to Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Physicians in this area have completed specialized training and are certified to manage these disorders. Revolutionary treatments are available now and new therapies are emerging all the time that can help women improve their pelvic floor function and regain their quality of life.