Glossary

Stress incontinence is involuntary loss of bladder control with physical exertion such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, jumping or lifting.

Urge incontinence is involuntary loss of bladder control due to an overactive bladder muscle. Incontinence is so common, many women think it’s normal after having babies and leave it untreated. Just because it’s common does not mean it’s normal! Pelvic floor PT has a great success rate of treating this condition and you no longer have to “live with it”.

A condition in which the large abdominal muscles separate. Most common after giving birth. There may be a bulge in the middle of the belly, or coning/doming with abdominal contraction.

Treatment with physical therapy for correct progression of abdominal exercises to increase strength and stability. Avoid doing sit-ups initially!

A condition in which one or more of the organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina.

It can be a bladder prolapse (cystocele), a rectum prolapse (rectocele) or uterus prolapse (uterocervical).

Symptoms include a feeling of pressure or heaviness, pain, difficulty voiding or emptying completely.

Treatment includes patient education to avoid bearing down, constipation management, treatment of the pelvic floor muscles, exercises to strengthen, including those that are in gravity eliminated positions to encourage the prolapse to return to its normal position.

Chronic pain of your vulva (the area on the outside of your genitals).

This can be due to stiffness in your pelvic floor muscles and physical therapy is very effective in treating it. Stress management and breathing techniques are also very important.

Genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse. This is not normal, intercourse should be enjoyable. Any of the conditions listed above could cause pain with sex.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is very effective in treating the underlying causes of this condition. Sometimes the patient has a history of some kind of sexual abuse and needs to seek counseling to treat the stress response/PTSD side of this issue. Treating the mind and the body as a whole provides the best results.

A condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. Symptoms include long or heavy periods, severe cramps, fatigue, nausea, sometimes can contribute to infertility.

Pelvic Floor Physical therapy can help to improve the function, flexibility and strength of the pelvic floor muscles which can help ease symptoms of Endometriosis.

Often a comprehensive approach is needed including dietary changes, exercise program and stress relief strategies.

A chronic, painful bladder condition. It’s often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI), but there is no infection.

Pelvic Floor Physical therapy and lifestyle modification is effective in treating the underlying causes of this condition.

A hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility and weight gain.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can help improve flexibility, strength and function of pelvic floor muscles which can help alleviate PCOS symptoms.

Persistent inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

Chronic pain in the pelvis, perineum, tailbone, groin, testicles, or lower back. Pain during intercourse, erections, or ejaculation.