"Pelvic Organ Prolapse" is used to describe the "drop" of one or more pelvic organs from their normal position. Typically, it is the result of injury during childbirth or pregnancy or as the result of aging, menopause or traumatic injury. It is sometimes referred to as "fallen bladder" or "dropped…
When women experience the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, their quality of life can be diminished. Dr. Ashford works to clearly diagnose the problem and to offer the right solution for you, your condition, and your treatment preferences.
The impact of pelvic floor disorders on the quality of life for women is profound. Normal activities are often severely compromised. Some women are no longer able to participate in physical exercise activities like running, walking, riding a bike or weight training. Intimacy with a partner is difficult due to pain and embarrassment. The need to be near a bathroom can cause some women to avoid theatres and other social activities.
What are the symptoms of pelvic floor disorders?
In general, the symptoms might include:
- Urinary and fecal incontinence
- Frequent need to urinate, urinary urgency, and urge incontinence (difficulty holding back urine when having the urge to urinate)
- A bulge and/or pressure in the vagina
- Pelvic Pain
- Difficulty urinating or moving bowels
- Pain in the lower back, pelvis or bladder and/or urethra
- Sexual dysfunction, pain during sexual intercourse
If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to have an examination to determine the cause.
Some of the causes and symptoms are listed below.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Symptoms of urinary tract infections include urinary frequency and urgency, bladder or urethral burning, and discomfort in the bladder. Urinary tract infections are considered recurrent if you have 2 or more infections in 6 months or 3 or more infections in a year.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is one of the most common conditions impacting the lifestyle of women. There are a number of different reasons why women experience urinary incontinence, but often the birth of a baby can leave behind anatomic and pathologic disruption in the pelvic support structures of women.…
Vaginal Fistulas
Vaginal fistulas are abnormal openings into the vagina from the bladder, colon, rectum, urethra, ureters, or small intestine. "Vesicovaginal Fistulas" between bladder and vagina are most common in women.
Vulvar & Vaginal Pain
Persistent vulvar and vaginal pain is a problem for many women. A complete physical examination allows us to identify the cause, make an accurate diagnosis, and offer effective treatment.
Is there more information about Urogynecology?
Yes! Before most other clinics were thinking about pelvic floor disorders and the issues that were really impacting the quality of life for many women, Dr. Ashford developed a comprehensive Urogynecology Center at Minnesota Women's Care. You can read more about specific conditions and the wide range of treatment options Dr. Ashford and his team have developed to address these conditions.
Urogynecology Center at Minnesota Women's Care