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Women’s Pelvic WellnessRegain a higher quality of life

It may not be pleasant to talk about having a bowel or bladder control problem. Fortunately, UW Health offers women with these and many other pelvic concerns a comprehensive team of physicians who are experts in various aspects of female pelvic medicine from obstetrics and gynecology to reconstructive surgery to urology.

Overview

Living well while managing your pelvic wellness

You are not alone. About one in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime.

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a bowl-shaped part of the body consisting of muscles and other non-muscular soft tissues located in the lower pelvis. It supports the abdominal organs, facilitates urinary and bowel continence and aids in sexual satisfaction.

Pelvic floor disorders

Through the normal movement and stresses associated with daily living, the pelvic floor can weaken and become lax. It is also an area that can carry increased tension and stress. When the pelvic floor weakens or carries undue stress individuals may experience urinary or bowel urgency, incontinence, constipation and pelvic pain or pain with intercourse.

Pelvic floor risk factors

In your control

  • Don’t smoke

  • Maintain normal weight

  • Be physically active

  • Be cautious with extreme sports

  • Limit caffeine and excessive intake of fluids

  • Avoid constipation

  • Control blood sugar

  • Keep pelvic floor healthy

Less controllable

  • Risk increases with age

  • Pregnancy and childbirth

  • Pelvic injury, pelvic surgery

  • Chronic lung disease

  • Neurological problems

U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics and gynecology was ranked among the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more

Conditions and treatments

Care to give you confidence

At UW Health, we understand that pelvic floor disorders can be embarrassing and uncomfortable to live with. We help you manage these conditions in ways that help you regain your confidence and fully live your life.

Conditions we treat include:

Treating your pelvic floor conditions

You work with your pelvic wellness team to find the right treatment for you. We provide a wide range of treatment options.

Treatments for bladder control include:

  • Intravesical botox

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy

  • Peri-urethral bulking agents

  • Pessary fitting

  • Posterior tibial nerve stimulation

  • Sacral neuromodulation

  • Urethral sling surgery

Surgical procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse include:

  • Closure of the vagina

  • Repair of the bladder or urethra

  • Repair of the rectum or small bowel

  • Repair of the vaginal wall

  • Removal of the uterus

Treatments for accidental bowel leakage include:

  • Anal canal bulking injections

  • Nerve stimulation

  • Pelvic floor physical therapy with biofeedback

  • Rectal or vaginal inserts

  • Surgery

Programs and research

Specialized pelvic floor disorder care

UW Health doctors have the highest level of training in caring for pelvic floor disorders and related conditions. This means we address all of your concerns at the same time.

Innovations in pelvic health research

Our doctors take part in research to improve care for you. We study and test better treatments for pelvic floor disorders, gynecology, obstetrics and urology conditions.

Our team

Support when you need it

Our clinic focuses on you. We listen to your concerns. We strive to make you feel comfortable. We find a treatment that meets your needs and health goals.

Our providers

Locations

Women’s pelvic wellness