Show #358 Airing Sunday, 10/1/06
Do you plan your day’s travels around pit stops to the women’s room? Many women suffer silently behind those closed rest room doors. Incontinence pain and other pelvic problems are uncomfortable issues to talk about. Today, we want to open the door for a comfortable discussion. Joining us is Janine Laughlin, a physical therapist who specializes in women’s heath at Akron General’s Sports and Physical Therapy office in Hudson.
Question:What may cause pain for women in the pelvic area?
Answer: Chronic pelvic pain, incontinence, uterine prolapse and difficulty having intercourse can all be caused by the weakening of the pelvic muscle. This can be caused by a number of factors including:
- Childbirth
- Pelvic surgery, like a hysterectomy or a C-section
- Menopause-your body produces less estrogen which weakens the lining of the uterus and vagina.
- Strain from pushing due to constipation.
- Coughing spell/bronchitis.
- Simply gaining ten pounds.
Quesion: If you have pain or incontinence and visit a doctor, what can be done?
Answer: The doctor will give you a medical workup to make sure you are not suffering from something like a bladder infection, and then recommend treatment. Medication or even surgical options (such as a sling or suspension) may be offered.
It's really important to note that all women should have physical therapy available to them at this time. Even if surgery is scheduled, exercises that strengthen the pelvic muscles can be used in conjunction/beforehand to help the surgery succeed (oftentimes it needs to be repeated in 7-8 years), or may eliminate the need for surgery altogether.
Question:What kind of exercises are we talking about? Sit-ups?
Answer: No, not sit-ups. The recommended exercises focus on the stomach below the belly button.
The aim is to stretch the muscles and to massage them so that they relax more (much of the pain comes from the muscles being tense).
Exercises done on an exercise ball may help. We can provide the balls at low cost along with handouts on how to use them.
Question:I understand technology can help make sure we are doing the exercises correctly.
Answer: Exercises for pelvic strengthening are working muscles that cannot be seen, so biofeedback can be used as a visual aid for person who is exercising.
We send a unit home with the patient, and it really yields a high success rate.
The muscles are hooked up to an external probe or a sensor is inserted into the vagina like a tampon (in the rectum for men). Squeezing and relaxing are recorded and printed out for the patient to see. Sometimes, one does not realize that they are tense. This will record it for you.
Question:Lots of women won't make the initial call because they're embarrassed. What can you tell these women to overcome this concern?
Answer: They're not alone. Look in drugstores, you can see all the incontinence products. We make a comfortable environment to discuss. Women more comfortable with woman.
Pelvic pain and incontinence do not have to keep you on the sidelines. Give Akron General a call to learn more on how simple strengthening exercises can make a big difference. The number's next. My thanks to Janine Laughlin.
