They’re not the kind of moments you discuss at the dinner table. But they happen every day to millions of women nationwide.
Urine leaks when you cough, laugh, or exercise
Trouble having regular bowel movements
Feelings of fullness, discomfort, or pain in your vagina
These can be the signs of a pelvic floor disorder.
Your pelvic muscles form a sling that holds up your bladder, uterus, and other pelvic organs. Childbirth, pregnancy, obesity, or simply the passage of time can weaken these muscles.
The result often is incontinence, or being unable to control when you go to the bathroom. Also, one or more of your pelvic organs may drop into or out of the vagina. This is called pelvic organ prolapse.
It’s estimated that 20% of U.S. women have a pelvic floor disorder. The condition is more common with age.
Other signs of a pelvic floor disorder include:
A feeling of heaviness, fullness, or pulling in the pelvis
A sensation that something is falling out of your vagina
Urgent or frequent need to urinate
Difficulty having a bowel movement or emptying your bladder
Talking with your healthcare provider about these problems can help you get treatment. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine or losing weight, may help improve symptoms. Medicine may also help.
Other therapies include pelvic strengthening exercises known as Kegels. For women with more severe symptoms, a device called a pessary can be placed into the vagina to help support the pelvic organs. If these treatments don’t help, surgery is an option.