Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic floor issues—like leaking urine or stool, needing the bathroom constantly, or feeling pressure or bulging—are common and nothing to be embarrassed about. WHA helps you figure out what’s going on, with treatments that work for your situation.
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Your pelvic floor is all the muscles, tissues and nerves responsible for supporting the bladder, vagina, rectum and other organs located in the pelvis. Pelvic floor dysfunction can happen when those muscles weaken or are injured, which can be caused by various things and life stages. It can also lead to a range of conditions, including:
- Stress urinary incontinence: leaking urine when you cough, sneeze or exercise
- Overactive bladder or urgency incontinence: feeling a strong, sudden urge to go, sometimes with leakage
- Fecal incontinence: accidental leakage of stool, or trouble sensing the need to go
- Pelvic organ prolapse: a drop in the uterus or other pelvic floor organ, which may feel like pressure, fullness or bulging in the vagina
If symptoms are disrupting your daily life, it’s worth getting evaluated. Many OB-GYNs and primary care providers can provide treatment, but be sure to ask for a urogynecologist referral if your symptoms persist or get worse. A urogynecologist is an OB-GYN physician with years of extra, specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor conditions. WHA is proud to have passionate, fellowship-trained urogynecologists ready to help you find relief.
Pelvic floor conditions often have more than one cause. Some common contributing factors to pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Pregnancy and childbirth: especially vaginal delivery, which can stretch or injure pelvic muscles
- Perimenopause and aging: hormonal shifts affect tissue strength and bladder function
- Pelvic anatomy: how your organs are shaped or supported may increase the risk of prolapse or incontinence
- Diet and fluid intake: certain foods, drinks or routines can make symptoms worse
- Chronic strain: heavy lifting, constipation, chronic coughing or high-impact exercise can weaken muscles over time
Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment.
Once you schedule an appointment, your provider will ask about your symptoms, health history and lifestyle. They may perform a physical exam or recommend initial tests. From there, we’ll guide you to the next best step. If needed, you may be referred to one of WHA’s urogynecology specialists—experts in diagnosing and treating pelvic floor conditions with precision and compassion.
It’s important to know that the vast majority of pelvic floor conditions can be significantly improved or resolved without surgery. Treatment options may include:
- Behavioral approaches like bladder training or avoiding certain foods and drinks that can worsen symptoms
- Pelvic floor physical therapy, where a specialized therapist guides you through targeted exercises (much more than just Kegels) to safely strengthen and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles. For many, this is the most effective treatment.
- Medications to reduce urgency or improve muscle control
- Minimally invasive procedures or surgery to lift or support pelvic organs or correct underlying anatomical issues
Many people can regain bladder control and strengthen the pelvic floor with very simple interventions. You deserve to feel confident and in control of your body. Our team is here to help you get there.
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Related Providers
Urogynecology | Physician and Surgeon
Urogynecology | Nurse Practitioner
Urogynecology | Nurse Practitioner
Urogynecology | Physician Assistant
Additional Resources
International Urogynecological Association | YourPelvicFloor.org
YourPelvicFloor.org is the patient-centered website of International Urogynecological Association where you can find patient information leaflets, videos, FAQs and more.
National Association for Continence
Fecal and urinary incontinence information for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
Voices for PFD
A great resource from the American Urogynecologic Society for women experiencing pelvic floor disorders, including bladder and bowel control issues and pelvic organ prolapse.