Regain Your Confidence: Take Control of Your Pelvic Floor Health

Chillicothe, Mo. — If you’ve ever laughed too hard, rushed to the bathroom, or felt anxious about an accident in public, you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence affects millions of women, and many believe it’s something they just must live with. It’s not. 

Amber Miller, PT, specialist in pelvic floor disorders at Hedrick Medical Center and Wright Memorial Hospital, offers tips to help women of all ages break free from pelvic floor disorders.

“Women commonly say, ‘my mother or my sister has this problem, and it is just a normal part of growing older,” said Miller. “The truth is while urinary incontinence is common, it is not untreatable. In fact, there are many simple things women can do to help overcome pelvic floor disorders and regain quality of life.”

Pelvic floor disorders include problems with bladder control, bowel control (problems having a bowel movement or stool leakage), or pelvic organ prolapse (feeling pelvic pressure or bulge in the vagina) caused by weakened muscles in the pelvis.

“Urinary incontinence can have a tremendous impact on a woman’s life by restricting her social and physical activities. It is a significant reason for nursing home placement in elderly women,” said Miller. “However, women should not be embarrassed or ashamed of discussing these issues or resign themselves to wearing continence pads.”

The key is addressing the issue. Eighty to ninety percent of women treated by a specialist will experience significant symptom improvement. Treatment options include surgical and non-surgical treatments, and therapy should be individualized to the patient and her condition.

Women can improve their pelvic floor health by taking some of the following steps:

• Maintain a normal weight.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Avoid constipation.
• Exercise regularly.
• Seek medical attention to prevent chronic cough.
• Avoid heavy lifting.
• Stop smoking.
• Learn how to properly perform pelvic floor exercises, or “Kegels”.

For more information about bladder control issues and pelvic floor rehabilitation, call Hedrick Medical Center at 660-214-8170 or Wright Memorial Hospital at 660-358-5887.