Pelvic Floor Disorders

Aug. 20, 2026 | Pelvic floor disorders are more common than you think and can occur at any age. At least one in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime, and one in four women older than 20 will suffer from pelvic floor symptoms like urine or stool leakage. If you’re one of them, you know how much these symptoms can disrupt your daily life. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that form a sling or hammock across the pelvis. In women, it holds the uterus, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs in place so that they can work properly. The pelvic floor can become weak or be injured as a result of pregnancy or childbirth. Other causes include being overweight, radiation treatment, surgery, and getting older. Pelvic floor disorders occur when women have weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue, which may cause bladder or bowel control problems.

Aug. 20, 2026 | Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the tissue and muscles of the pelvic floor no longer support the pelvic organs resulting in the drop, or prolapse, of the pelvic organs from their normal position. The pelvic organs include the vagina, cervix, uterus, bladder, urethra, and rectum. The bladder is the most commonly involved organ in pelvic organ prolapse. Many women have some degree of pelvic organ prolapse, although not all women have symptoms. Women who have symptoms may experience pelvic discomfort or pain, pressure and other symptoms including a bulge of tissue or organs that protrudes to or past the vaginal opening. Treatment for this condition does not always require surgery. Some women find relief from pelvic floor exercises, commonly referred to as Kegels, that are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor by contracting and relaxing the muscles that surround the opening of the urethra, vagina and rectum.

Aug. 20, 2026 | When it comes to treating a pelvic organ prolapse, many women start with non-surgical treatment and go on to surgery only if their symptoms from prolapse are not under control. When considering your treatment options, it is best to work with your urogynecologist to make a plan that works best for you. A lot depends on your individual situation and your preferences. Surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse can be done through either the vagina or abdomen, using stitches alone or with the addition of surgical mesh. Surgical options include restoring the normal position of the vagina, repairing the tissue around the vagina, permanently closing the vaginal canal with or without removing the uterus. It is also possible that women with pelvic organ prolapse may experience problems with urine incontinence. During surgery, a procedure to prevent or decrease incontinence, which may also use surgical mesh, may be performed.

Aug. 20, 2026 | Urinary incontinence is a pelvic floor disorder that can happen because of childbirth, obesity, age or other factors. Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control, causing a frequent urge to urinate or unintentional leakage. Urinary leakage may be triggered by laughing, coughing, or sneezing. Women are twice as likely as men to experience different types of urinary incontinence due to the structure of the female urinary tract as well as the effects of pregnancy and menopause. Fecal incontinence, another pelvic floor disorder, is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool or liquid to leak from the rectum due to damaged or weakened muscles that control the release of stool. Women experiencing incontinence issues should consult with a medical professional, who may recommend bladder training, which involves using the bathroom on a set schedule to regain bladder control and overcome urges to urinate.

Aug. 20, 2026 | A urogynecologist is a doctor who specializes in pelvic floor disorders in females. Your pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissues that support the organs in your reproductive system, including your uterus and vagina. Dr. Sallie Olliphant, a urogynecologist and professor in the UAMS Department of Urology, says understanding the signs of pelvic floor disorders and getting treatment early can help prevent discomfort and improve a woman’s quality of life. Getting regular check-ups and talking with your urogynecologist can help you learn more about how to support your long-term pelvic floor health and overall well-being. Dr. Olliphant says it’s unlikely that a pelvic floor disorder will go away on its own. Many women tolerate them in silence and do not seek the medical help that they need. It’s important to know that many conditions can be improved or cured and the first step is talking to a urogynecologist.