Northwestern Medicine Women's Integrated Pelvic Health Program
If you have a pelvic floor disorder there are many options for controlling, reducing or eliminating the causes of incontinence.
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Leading-edge, Transdisciplinary Clinical and Surgical Care
At least one in four women reports discomfort and a negative impact on her quality of life from a pelvic floor disorder, including pelvic organ prolapse, urinary tract symptoms or incontinence, and fecal incontinence. Moreover, nearly one in five women will undergo surgery for a pelvic floor disorder with a 30 percent risk of needing repeat surgery. With the increased prevalence of pelvic floor disorders with aging, treatment for women with these disorders is expected to increase by 40 percent over the next 40 years—from 28 million in 2010 to 43 million in 2050.
Specialists for Pelvic Floor Disorders
The Northwestern Medicine Women's Integrated Pelvic Health Program houses a transdisciplinary team of specialists in convenient locations:
- Urogynecologists
- Urologists
- Colon & Rectal Surgeons
- Physical Therapists
- Sexual Medicine Specialists
These specialists provide customized, compassionate, full-service care for all pelvic floor disorders in a confidential environment.
Clinical Programs
Urogynecologists in the Northwestern Medicine Integrated Pelvic Health Program offer two additional distinctive clinical programs for special groups of women with pelvic floor conditions.
Pelvic Health Conditions
Pelvic floor disorders are a group of conditions that affect the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor consists of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue in the pelvic that support your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum). The pelvic floor prevents your organs from falling or protruding outside your body and plays an important role in how your organs work. When the pelvic floor muscles or connective tissue are torn or do not work properly, the pelvic organs may not function correctly and you may develop symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder.
The three main types of pelvic floor disorders are:
- Urinary incontinence or frequent urination
- Bowel problems: anal incontinence, accidental bowel leakage or constipation
- Pelvic organ prolapse
Other related disorders that Northwestern Medicine pelvic floor specialists frequently treat:
- Anal Incontinence
- Anal ultrasound
- Behavioral and Physical Therapy
- Blood In Urine
- Botulinum toxin
- Bowel Control Problems
- Congenital Anomalies
- Constipation
- Cystoscopy
- Difficulty with bladder or bowel emptying
- Fecal Incontinence
- Fistulas
- Genital Pain
- Manometry
- Microscopic hematuria
- Minimally invasive surgery: Robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and vaginal surgery
- Neuro-urologic disorders
- Overactive Bladder
- Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Painful Scar or Adhesions
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Postpartum pelvic floor issues
- Prolapse of Bladder, Vagina, Uterus or Rectum
- Pubic Symphysis Pain
- Sacral neuromodulation
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Control Problems
- Urinary Frequency
- Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Urgency or Frequency
- Vaginal Bulge or Protrusion of Tissue from Vagina
Symptoms of a Pelvic Floor Disorder
Depending on the type of pelvic floor disorder, women may experience a variety of symptoms. Most pelvic floor disorders are not dangerous but worsen over time and create bothersome symptoms that can interfere with or limit your activities.
Some symptoms that suggest you may have a pelvic floor disorder include:
- Blood In Urine
- Bowel Control Problems
- Constipation
- Difficulty with bladder or bowel emptying
- Overactive Bladder
- Prolapse of Bladder, Vagina, Uterus or Rectum
- Urinary Control Problems
- Urinary Urgency or Frequency
- Vaginal Bulge or Protrusion of Tissue from Vagina
Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Disorders
Treatments will vary depending on the type of pelvic floor disorder. The specialists at Northwestern Medicine will offer all the latest non-surgical and surgical treatments and will help tailor a treatment plan based on the severity of each woman’s condition and her preferences for treatment. Frequently simple interventions and lifestyle changes can improve patient’s symptoms and quality of life.
Treatments for pelvic floor disorders include:
- Botox (Onabotulinum toxin A)
- Colpocleisis
- Lifestyle and Behavioral Modifications
- Medications
- Minimally Invasive Surgery for Prolapse (laparoscopic, robotic and vaginal approaches)
- Nerve Stimulation
- Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Percutaneous Tibal Nerve Stimulation
- Pessary
- Sacral Neuromodulation
- Sacrocolpopexy
- Sacrospinous Ligament Suspension
- Surgeries for Urinary Incontinence (synthetic slings, fascial slings, burch procedures)
- Trigger Point Injections
- Urethral Bulking
- Uterosacral Ligament Suspension
- Vaginal Devices
Diagnostic Tests Offered
- 3D Pelvic Floor Ultrasound
- Anal Manometry
- Cystoscopy
- Endoanal Ultrasound
- Urodynamic Testing
- Downtown (AMC)
- Northern Suburbs
- Western Suburbs
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Nationally recognized in Gynecology (13th)
Related Resources
- New Patient Intake Form: View a form to be completed by a new patient in pelvic health.
- Pelvic Floor Patient Questionnaire
- Pelvic Ultrasound in Women Brochure: Learn about the preparations and care needed before and after this procedure.
- Prentice Women's Hospital
- Lake Forest Hospital
- International Urogynecological Association
- American Urogynecologic Society (www.voiceforpfd.org)
- Society of Gynecologic Surgeons
