Pelvic Floor Disorder Therapy

The pelvic floor refers to muscles which surround the organs in the abdomen. Weak or damaged muscles in the abdomen can cause pelvic floor disorder, especially in women; symptoms include incontinence, abdominal bulging and urinary or vaginal prolapse. If you have pelvic floor disorder, you have several treatment options. Therapy methods include lifestyle changes, surgery and medication or medical devices.

Changing Health Habits

• You may be able to relieve your pelvic floor problems with simple changes in health habits. Dr. Eman Elkadry, a urogynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Massachusetts, says that pelvic floor disorder therapy does not mandate surgery. She recommends first pursing a treatment combining changes in diet with physical therapy and electrical stimulation of pelvic muscles.

  Ask your physical therapist or doctor about Kegel exercises for treatment of pelvic floor disorder. The Urology Team in Austin Texas, which treats pelvic floor disorders, recommends that you ask a doctor or nurse about how to isolate and exercise specific pelvic muscles. Specifically if you have urinary incontinence related to pelvic floor disorder, mention the Kegel treatment option to your doctor.

Seeking Surgery

• You should consider surgical options if lifestyle changes do not improve your condition. Dr. Elkadry notes that physical therapy alone will not cure an advanced pelvic floor disorder such as uterine prolapse, when the uterus moves down into the vaginal cavity due to muscle weakness.

  If you have multiple symptoms, try to seek out a surgery team that contains surgeons in colorectal and gynecological specialties, plus physical therapists. This "multidisciplinary approach" is the treatment program of hospitals like the University of Southern California's Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disorders. Asking the team of doctors for a comprehensive plan and timetable will help to ease your mind about multiple surgeries.

Medications and Devices

• Beyond physical therapy and surgery, you should examine options for medications. Inquire about maintenance prescriptions for urinary incontinence and anti-diarrheals that will address your specific symptoms. Dr. Elkadry stresses that because women are often particularly embarrassed about their pelvic floor symptoms, they don't mention them; tell your doctor exactly what you are experiencing and ask him about prescription relief.

  Peter Rosenblatt, Director of Urogynecology at Mount Auburn Hospital, recommends a pessary when physical therapy alone won't cure urinary incontinence. Pessaries are made of plastic and are fitted devices that help to alleviate bladder control issues such as leakage. If you are wondering how surgery might affect your symptoms, ask about a "pessary test," which can relieve bladder control issues temporarily prior to an operation or during a pregnancy.