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Writer's picturedana abdalla
Sep 183 min read

Types of Pelvic Floor Issues



1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

  

 Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition where weakened muscles in your pelvis cause one or more organs in your pelvis (vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum) to sag. In more severe cases, an organ bulges onto another organ or outside your body. Your healthcare provider can recommend treatments to repair your prolapse and relieve symptoms.


The most common symptom is feeling a bulge in your vagina, as if something were falling out of it. Other symptoms include:


  • Bulge, fullness or pressure in your vagina.

  • Fullness, pressure or aching in your pelvis.

  • Aching or pain in your low back.

  • Pressure, hitting sensation or pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).

  • Bulge or pressure that worsens throughout the day.

  • Bulge or pressure that worsens if you cough or if you’re on your feet too long.

  • Having to shift protruding organs with your finger in order to pee or poop.

  • Vaginal spotting.


Your symptoms depend on where your prolapse is located. Telling your healthcare provider about your symptoms helps them locate the spots where your pelvic floor is weakest.         



How is pelvic organ prolapse diagnosed?

  During your appointment, your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, your provider may ask you to cough so that they can see the full extent of your prolapse when you’re straining and when you’re relaxed. They may examine you while you’re lying down and while you’re standing. Often, a pelvic exam is all it takes to diagnose a prolapse.


             




2. Urinary Incontinence


  Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.

Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don't hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence.


Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently.


Types of urinary incontinence include:


  • Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.


  • Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.


  • Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.







3. Fecal Incontinence


   Fecal incontinence is not being able to control bowel movements. Stool leaks from the rectum without warning. Fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence is sometimes called bowel incontinence. 


Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth.

Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be difficult to discuss. But don't shy away from talking to your doctor about this common problem. Treatments can improve fecal incontinence and your quality of life.


Another type of fecal incontinence occurs in people who are not aware of the need to pass stool. This is called passive incontinence.


Fecal incontinence may happen with other bowel problems, such as:

  • Diarrhea.

  • Constipation.

  • Gas and bloating.


See your health care provider if you or your child develops fecal incontinence. This is especially important if it happens a lot, is severe or causes emotional distress. 







4. Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse)

 

 The medical term for painful intercourse is dyspareunia (dis-puh-ROO-nee-uh). It is lasting or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex. Talk with your healthcare professional if you're having painful intercourse. Treatments focus on the cause and can help stop or ease this common problem.


   If you have painful intercourse, you might feel:

  • Pain only at sexual entry, called penetration.

  • Pain with every penetration, including putting in a tampon.

  • Deep pain during thrusting.

  • Burning pain or aching pain.

  • Throbbing pain lasting hours after sex.


When to see a doctor


If you have recurrent pain during sex, talk with your healthcare professional. Treating the problem can help your sex life, your emotional intimacy and your self-image.

  

Physical causes of painful intercourse differ, depending on whether the pain happens at entry or with deep thrusting. Emotional factors can be linked to many types of painful intercourse.





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