Pelvic Floor Problems or Urinary Incontinence: The Experts at the Presence Women's Center Offer the Latest Treatments

If you or someone you know is bothered by pelvic discomfort caused by weakened pelvic muscles, you’re not alone.

Statistics show that one out of every five women will suffer from some form of pelvic floor dysfunction that affects the bladder, bowels and sexual performance, yet for most, the problem goes unidentified and untreated.

Urinary incontinence is another troubling problem faced by 25 million Americans, 75% of which are women. Whether the problem is caused by laughing or coughing (stress incontinence), by urinary muscle spasms (urge incontinence), or a combination of both, the end result is the same: an unexpected, unwelcome release of urine.

The good news is that experts at the Presence Women’s Center in New Lenox offer the latest treatments for both conditions.

Pelvic Floor Problems

“The muscles of the pelvic floor play a key role in core stability, breathing and posture, while supporting the pelvic organs, which include the vagina, cervix, uterus, bladder, urethra, small intestines and rectum,” explains Nahla Merhi, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., board-certified gynecologist on staff at the Presence Women’s Center.

Over time, the supporting muscles and fascia may become torn or stretched, or they may weaken because of aging. Problems with pelvic support often are associated with pelvic organ prolapse, in which the fascia and muscles can no longer support the pelvic organs. As a result, the organs that they support can drop downward.

“The main cause of pelvic organ prolapse is having had children,” Dr. Merhi said. “Women who have had a vaginal delivery have a slightly increased risk of pelvic support problems than those who have had a Cesarean delivery.”

Other causes of pelvic support problems include prior pelvic surgery, menopause, aging, intense physical activity, factors that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as being overweight or obese, constipation and straining to have a bowel movement, chronic coughing, and genetics.

Symptoms include a feeling of pelvic heaviness or fullness, a bulge in the vagina, organs bulging out of the vagina, pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis, lower back pain, leakage of urine, sexual difficulties, and more.

Dr. Merhi offers several advanced treatments for pelvic prolapse including minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which offers patients less pain and a quicker recovery. Other treatments include Kegel exercises to strengthen the weakened pelvic muscles, lifestyle changes and weight loss.

“I like to spend time with my patients to answer their questions, review all of their treatment options and ensure they are well-informed, comfortable and confident about the medical decisions they make,” she added.

Urinary Incontinence

“Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem,” Dr. Marks explains. “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.”

Women are more likely than men to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and the female anatomy account for this difference. Age is also a factor.

“As you get older, the muscles in the bladder and urethra lose some of their strength,” she added. “Changes with age reduce how much your bladder can hold and increase the chances of involuntary urine release.”

However, getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll become incontinent. In fact, incontinence isn’t normal at any age – except during infancy.

Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking and chronic cough caused by smoking, kidney disease and diabetes.

Unfortunately, urinary incontinence can make you alter your normal routine and activities. You may stop exercising; you may have to use the bathroom more frequently at work; you may experience repeated urinary tract infections or develop skin infections, rashes or sores. But perhaps most distressing are the changes in your personal life, including avoiding sexual intimacy because of the embarrassment of urine leakage.

“Urinary incontinence treatments vary depending on the severity of a patient’s condition,” she added. “Medications such as topical estrogen or Anticholinergic, which calm overactive bladders, are common treatments for urinary incontinence. Additional treatment options include physical therapy, urethral inserts, bladder training exercises and collagen injections to expand the neck of the bladder and prevent urine leakage.”

There are also surgical procedures that can help urinary incontinence if treatments aren’t working.

Dr. Marks offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures, including genital and urinary reconstructive surgery to help restore and aid normal urinary function; sling procedures to lift the urethra back to its normal position; and Interstim neuromodulation. Interstim involves the placement of a small electrical wire through the skin into the lower portion of the pelvic bone that then delivers a minute electrical charge to the nerve that comes from the bladder. By stimulating this nerve with an electrical impulse, the bladder often will become less overactive.

“I believe in using my medical and surgical knowledge to customize patient treatment plans and maximize positive outcomes,” she said.

Pelvic Power Boot Camp

Learn more about pelvic pain and dysfunction, urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, lower back pain, general chronic pain and the importance of exercise at Pelvic Power Boot Camp, a five-week series, that begins Wednesday, Oct. 2, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Presence Healing Arts Pavilion in New Lenox.

(For women unable to register for the October series, the program is offered quarterly. Details about future dates and times are available by calling 877.737.4636.)

At each hour-long session, specially trained physical therapists will focus on treatments specific to each participant, while incorporating overall support in an enjoyable group atmosphere. Participants can win spa packages to the Presence Women’s Center and Spa.

Fee is $40 for the five-week series; exercise mats and bottled water will be provided.

For more information or to register, call 877.737.4636.

The program meets each week from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Presence Healing Arts Pavilion is located at 410 East Lincoln Highway in New Lenox.