It can be one of the most difficult discussions a woman will ever have with a medical professional: describing the symptoms of female pelvic floor dysfunction. The conversation can be just as embarrassing and uncomfortable as the symptoms themselves.
Symptoms generally begin gradually and the natural evolution is for them to progress with time. They vary among women; however they can include:
Bladder Control Problems:
- Urine leakage
- Overactive bladder
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
Bowel Control Problems:
- Infrequent bowel movement
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Hard bowel movements
- Abnormal stool consistency
Pelvic Organ Prolapse:
- A bulging, pressure or heavy sensation in the vagina that worsens by the end of the day or during bowel movements
- Difficulty starting to urinate or a weak or spraying stream of urine
- Urine leakage and/or pain with intercourse
These symptoms, and any subsequent loss of function, can be effectively diagnosed and treated by competent and skilled physicians who have the highly specialized training of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. EVMS Urogynecologists Dr. Peter Takacs and Dr. Kindra Larson are fellowship trained and Board certified.
Otherwise known as Urogynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery has the distinction of being one of the rare certification processes that is approved by two separate Boards: the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Board of Urology. Rather than dealing with disease, urogynecologists treat conditions that result in abnormal function of the organs within the female pelvic floor.
Restoration of lost function – whether pathological, physiological, menopause or prolapse-related – is the goal of urogynecology. Treatment options range from physical exercises to medications to laparoscopic, minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery.
Urogynecology
