Regain confidence, stop leaks, reduce prolapse
At Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley Daniel Oberlin MD focuses on both non-surgical and surgical therapies fix disorders of the pelvic floor and improve quality of life for our patients
About Pelvic floor Dysfunction and Prolapse
In medicine, prolapse is a condition where organs fall down or slip out of place. It is used for organs protruding through the vagina or the rectum or for the misalignment of the valves of the heart. Prolapse literally means "to fall out of place", from the Latin prolabi meaning "to fall out".
Relating to the uterus, prolapse condition results in an inferior extension of the organ into the vagina, caused by weakened pelvic muscles.
Causes of Pelvic floor dysfunction
Mechanistically, the causes of pelvic floor dysfunction are two-fold: widening of the pelvic floor opening and descent of pelvic floor. Associations include obesity, menopause, pregnancy and childbirth but many patients do not have these associations. Some women may simply have weak connective tissue and fascia and are therefore at risk of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Types of Pelvic floor dysfunction and prolapse
- Pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the uterus, bladder and bowel may "drop" onto the vagina and cause a bulge through the vaginal canal
- Urinary incontinence, or lack of bladder control
- Fecal incontinence, or lack of bowel control
Treatment options for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
With an expert treatment team, urologists like Dr. Oberlin can often be successfully treated without surgery with physical therapy and a combination of other treatment options. Treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction can include:
- Strengthening exercises: Strengthening exercises, also known as Kegels, involves squeezing and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. If performed correctly and routinely, these exercises may improve the symptoms of prolapse.
- Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a non-surgical technique that uses special sensors and video to monitor the pelvic floor muscles as the patient attempts to relax or contract them.
- Relaxation techniques: Your physician or physical therapist may recommend relaxation techniques such as warm baths, yoga and exercises.
- Medicine: Medicine is sometimes prescribed to treat certain bladder control problems, to prevent loose stools or frequent bowel movements.
- Surgery: Sometimes, surgery may be necessary.
Who treats pelvic floor disorders?
A variety of experts can treat these problems, and often, a combination of experts provides the best outcome for patients. At Golden Gate Urology, women are treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists that includes:
- Urologists like Dr Oberlin who specialize in the treatment of urinary disorders in women and men
- Physical therapists who can help women and men learn exercises to improve their symptoms
- Nurses who are often the first line of contact for patients and can help coordinate care across the many disciplines offered
- Colorectal surgeons who provide surgical treatment of the digestive system
- Gastroenterologists who treat the digestive system
- Radiologists who perform advanced studies to determine the cause of pelvic floor disorders
What are the best resources for patients to learn more?
Pelvic floor dysfunction affects 1 in 3 women. But rest assured help is available.
Voices for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a fantastic place for women to learn more from real women with similar problems.
Learn the Terms Glossary
Medicine is a new language. Moreover, pelvic floor disorder terms are a new dialect! It may take a while to learn the unique terms, phrases, and acronyms relating to PFDs. Here’s a glossary to get you started on your path to pelvic floor disorder literacy.
Pelvic Floor Dialogues
Stay abreast of the latest research findings. Disseminated quarterly, Pelvic Floor Dialogues provides easy-to-read summaries of PFD research published in the medical literature.
PFD 101: Fact or Fiction
Take our true or false quiz to test your knowledge of pelvic floor disorders.