If you think that urinary incontinence and bladder problems only affect elderly women, think again. Bladder and pelvic floor health issues are also common among younger, more active women as well. Nearly 13 million Americans have experienced some form of incontinence, including women in their teens, 20s and 30s.

Because of the embarrassment associated with urinary incontinence and other bladder or pelvic floor disorders, many women suffer in silence. Daily tasks may become more difficult, since coughing, laughing or sneezing may trigger an accident. Fortunately, there are now simple solutions available for these disorders.

What Are Bladder and Pelvic Floor Disorders?

Bladder and pelvic floor disorders, also known as urogynecologic disorders, include any pain or dysfunction in the area of the uterus, cervix, vagina, bladder or rectum. The primary types of bladder and pelvic floor disorders are:

• Stress Incontinence – Small leaks that occur with exertion such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
• Urge Incontinence – Also called “overactive bladder,” this is the urgent need to go to the bathroom followed by an involuntary loss of urine – not reaching the bathroom in time.
• Fecal incontinence – The involuntary loss of solid or liquid stool that can result in impaired quality of life for an individual. Consequences may be devastating, but many are too embarrassed to seek help, or don't realize help is available.
• Pelvic organ prolapse – When a pelvic organ such as the bladder, uterus, vagina or rectum falls below its normal position in the body. This can cause chronic pelvic or back pain, difficulty with bowel and bladder emptying, and sometimes results in difficulty with intercourse.
• Fistulas –  An opening between the wall of the vagina and the wall of the bladder or rectum, leading to leakage of urine or stool from the vagina.
• Complex benign conditions of the vagina and urethra such as vaginal cysts, absence of vagina, and urethral diverticulum.
• Other problems with urination or the pelvic floor tissues.

Who Is Affected?

Although urogynecologic problems can affect any women of any age, women who have given birth, and post-menopausal women and are more likely to be experience these problems. Pregnancy and childbirth can damage the tissues supporting the pelvic organs, while bladder support naturally weakens as a women ages. Being overweight can also contribute to urogynecologic problems. All of these factors can lead to weakened supportive tissue and damage to the nerves that control bladder function.

What Can Be Done About It?

Fortunately, excellent treatments  are available. Bladder and pelvic floor disorders are complex problems, and you should seek expert care for proper evaluation and individualized treatment. Dr. Craig McCoy and our staff incorporate the most advanced diagnostic tools available to diagnose and treat female urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. Schedule an appointment with Dr. McCoy for an initial evaluation, and begin your journey to improved pelvic health and quality of life.