Pelvic Floor Disorders

What is a pelvic floor disorder? 

Pelvic floor disorders occur when the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the bladder, uterus, vagina, and bowel weaken or are injured. These pelvic floor conditions are common – one in three women develop pelvic floor dysfunction.

What are the most common pelvic floor disorders? 

The most common pelvic floor disorders are:

• urinary incontinence – involuntary leakage of urine, especially when laughing, coughing, or exercising.
• pelvic organ prolapse – when the bladder, uterus, or rectum drop from their normal position and push against the vaginal walls.
• fecal incontinence – the inability to control bowel movements.

How do you know if you have a pelvic floor disorder? 

Common symptoms of pelvic floor disorders include feeling pain when urinating or having trouble emptying your bladder; leaking urine when laughing, coughing, or exercising; feeling a heaviness or aching in the pelvis or lower abdomen; and constipation. These are just a few of the many possible symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, so it is important to discuss any issues you have with a physician or nurse, even if you feel embarrassed. Many women – one in three – have pelvic floor dysfunction. If you have these symptoms, you are not alone.

Pelvic Floor Disorders We Treat

We treat a variety of pelvic floor disorders, including:

• Anal fissure
• Anal fistula 
• Bladder prolapse (cystocele)
• Chronic constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Hemorrhoids
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome)
• Neurogenic bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic pain
• Postpartum pelvic floor issues
• Rectal prolapse
• Rectocele
• Rectovaginal fistula
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary tract infections
• Diagnostic tests

Learn more about treatment for pelvic floor disorders at Brown University Health