About this topic
Muscles and strong bands of tissues support all the organs in your pelvis. This is the pelvic floor. Some of these organs are the bladder and the large bowel as well as the womb in women and the prostate in men. If the muscles and tissues get weak, your organs may drop. When this happens, a number of problems may happen. ‚
You may have urine leaking with laughing, sneezing, or coughing. You may not be able to drain the bladder fully. If you are not able to control your bowel movements, this is bowel incontinence. ‚
The organs in your pelvis may fall out of their normal place. Then, they either bulge or drop out of an opening. This is pelvic organ prolapse. If the lower part of the large bowel called the rectum falls or swells into the vagina it is a rectocele. You may also notice pain or problems passing stool. When the bladder falls or swells into the vagina, it is a cystocele. Other organs or tissue may also drop into the vagina. ‚
Pelvic pain or pain during sex is also signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. There are many reasons for each of these. ‚
Surgery is done to help your signs. The doctors do this by putting your bladder and rectum back in place. They also take out any extra tissue that is bulging into your vagina. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Try keeping a bladder diary. This is the first step to beginning pelvic floor retraining. You will need to pass urine on a schedule and slowly increase the time between going to the bathroom. Your doctor or therapist can teach you how to do this.
- Ask your doctor about Kegel exercises.
- Use pads or panty liners if needed to prevent urine leakage.
- Loose weight if you are overweight.
- If you are a smoker, stop smoking. Smoking bothers the bladder and may also cause chronic coughing.
- You may have a catheter put into your bladder to drain urine into a bag. You will need to empty the bag a few times each day. Your doctor will tell you how to do this.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor or therapist may have you use vaginal cones or weights to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
- Help with incontinence
- Loosen hard stools
Will physical activity be limited?
Your activity should not be limited unless. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Embarrassment
- Avoiding social settings
- Low mood
- Problems with sex
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Eat a high fiber diet to prevent hard stools.
- Get lots of fluids each day. Drinking too little can leave your urine more concentrated and bother the bladder. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day.
- Avoid drinking fluids 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Take only sips if needed at night.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine or not able to pass urine, wound that will not heal, vaginal itching or pain.
- Blood in urine or stool
- More pain when passing urine or having a bowel movement
- Sudden increase in urine leakage
- Foul-smelling urine
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help with urine leakage.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have blood in my urine or stool, more leakage, or foul-smelling urine.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Health ‚
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/urinary-incontinence ‚
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq012.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120620T0805531793 ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq081.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120702T1423157916 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚