You don't have to "just deal with" pelvic floor disorder
According to a new study, over a third of women suffer from one or more forms of pelvic floor disorder.
The study randomly surveyed 4,000 women, aged 25 to 84, specifically trying to target a "man on the street" demographic rather than those who were already seeking treatment.
The results indicated that many women are suffering in silence, unaware that they don't have to accept it as "just one of those things."
Pelvic floor disorders range from irritating to infuriating. And 80 percent of the women surveyed who had given birth experience ongoing difficulties. Results of the survey showed:
25 percent suffer from anal incontinence
15 percent have stress urinary incontinence
13 percent work to control an overactive bladder
6 percent experience a dropping of their pelvic organs, or "prolapse"
Women who had given birth vaginally had double the chance of developing one or more of these disorders compared to women who delivered by Caesarian section or who had never given birth at all.
The researchers recommend that women get educated first, and then start talking about it with their doctors. In fact, they recommend you find a doctor who is specifically trained in helping women with pelvic floor disorders.
Treatments that the doctor may discuss with you include physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor (it is after all, a muscle group), the use of a device to give support to vaginal walls, and what I consider the worst-case scenario— outpatient surgery. I especially recommend you be aware of the use of what is called EMG Biofeedback for this condition. This is an especially effective way to train and improve the neuromuscular support of the pelvic floor. Check with your local OB/GYN or hospital for more information.
The researchers offered one advocacy group as a resource, the National Association of Continence (www.nafc.org). I looked on their website, and they give a phone number for you to locate a specialist in your area. Dial 1-800- BLADDER (258-3337).
