“Most of the game-changing
recommendations have
come from studies that the Pelvic
Floor Disorders Network
has done,” says Mazloomdoost,
who is the director of this NIH
program. It funds some of the
largest, multicenter pelvic health
studies across the country.
A recent study from the network
showed that women who
urinate too often or leak urine
may be treated successfully
with Botox (botulinum toxin)
injections. Another treatment
that helps with bladder control
uses a surgical implant to
electrically stimulate the pelvic
muscle nerves. Stimulating the
nerves appears to help the bladder
relax more.
“My first advice to all
women with symptoms would
be to see a pelvic floor specialist,”
42 Healthy Living | Summer Issue | 2018
Mazloomdoost says.
“Often times, physical therapy
is the first treatment recommended
because just about
every pelvic floor condition
will benefit from it. Some conditions,
however, may need
more than just physical therapy
to get better.”
Pelvic floor physical therapy
often begins with simple
pelvic floor exercises. Some of
these are known as Kegel exercises.
They make the pelvic
muscles stronger. Any woman
can benefit from these exercises.
Ask your health care provider
how to do them correctly.
Mazloomdoost explains
that Kegels performed at home
may not work for some women
with a pelvic floor condition.
This may be because
women don’t hold the exercises
long enough, and they don’t
do enough of them during
the day.
“Physical therapy involves
monitoring and measuring the
amount of strength that the
muscles are using and making
sure that the correct muscles
are being used—and for often
enough and long enough,” she
says.
Women who have a pelvic
floor condition don’t have to
suffer. Treatments are available.
“If you have any problem with
your bladder function or what
your vagina feels like, then I
think it’s absolutely important
to speak with your doctor
about it,” Mazloomdoost
advises.