For Patients

Pelvic floor disorders are problems that affect women’s pelvic organs -- the uterus (or womb), vagina, bladder, rectum and the muscles that surround and support them. The three most common problems are pelvic organ prolapse, and trouble with bladder or bowel control. Each of these problems is described below. If you would like more information about pelvic floor problems, please visit the websites at the end of this page.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a general term used to describe a group of problems. Prolapse happens when one or more of the organs in the pelvis (the bladder, uterus, small intestines or rectum) fall into the vagina. Different terms describing prolapse include “cystocele” or “dropped bladder”; “uterine prolapse” or “dropped uterus”; “rectocele” or “enterocele.”

Some women with prolapse can see or feel a ‘bulge’ or ‘something coming out’ at the vaginal opening. Others with early prolapse do not know they have prolapse because they do not have these feelings or symptoms. Prolapse is not life threatening, but it can be uncomfortable. Prolapse sometimes makes it hard for women to do some of the things they want to do, like exercise. Prolapse sometimes makes it hard for women to empty their bladders normally.

The most common bladder problem is urinary incontinence – when women leak urine when they don’t want to. Many women will have some urine leakage in their lives. Because it is so common, some women believe it is normal and do not tell their doctors. At the same time, many doctors do not ask women if they are having bladder control problems. As a result, many women with these problems do not get treated and suffer in silence. It does not have to be this way – all women can be treated, often without needing surgery, and almost all bladder problems can be improved.

Some women with bowel problems lose stool from their rectum when they don’t want to. This is called “fecal incontinence.” They may lose liquid or solid stool. Women with this problem may also have trouble controlling gas. Like with bladder problems, many women live with this problem without telling anyone, including their doctor. Some women even have both bladder and bowel problems at the same time.

Remember, treatment is available for all types of pelvic floor problems.

Clinical trials help doctors learn what are the best tests and treatments for a given condition and to help determine whether treatments are safe and effective for people to use. Often clinical trials compare existing treatment options to determine which is better. Without these trials, doctors may not know the best way to diagnose or treat a health problem. When a pelvic floor problem has more than one treatment option, doctors may not know which treatment works the best, lasts the longest, or has the least side effects. For example, women who have bladder control problems may be offered medication, physical therapy, or even surgery. A clinical trial could compare medication to physical therapy, and the results of the trial helps doctors and patients in the future to make the best choice about which treatment to pick.

Before starting a clinical trial, researchers get approval from committees (such as Institutional Review Boards, or IRBs) at their medical centers. If you are thinking about being in a clinical trial, the researchers will give you more information in writing. For most types of research, you need to give your permission in writing before you can be part of a clinical trial. It is up to you to decide whether to join a clinical trial. The researchers will answer any questions that you have about being in a clinical trial before you sign up.

You can find information about clinical trials now being conducted by searching ClinicalTrials.gov which is an interactive, online database managed by the National Library of Medicine. It provides information about both federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers. ClinicalTrials.gov is updated regularly and offers information on each trial's purpose, eligibility requirements, locations, and phone numbers to call for more information. Other sources of information are linked below:

ClinicalTrials.gov
https://clinicaltrials.gov/

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
https://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/what_is_study.html

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/clinical-research

There are many helpful websites you can visit for more information. Please visit these other sites to learn more about pelvic floor disorders.

American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)
www.augs.org

National Association for Continence (NAFC)
www.nafc.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems

National Institute on Aging (NIA)
www.nia.nih.gov

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
https://www.iffgd.org/about-about-iffgd.html

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pelvicfloor

Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)
https://orwh.od.nih.gov/

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
https://www.fda.gov/forpatients/clinicaltrials/default.htm

American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
www.rheumatology.org

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
www.acrpnet.org

Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)
https://swhr.org/

Pelvic Floor Disorders Network @PFDNresearch

NICHD @NICHD_NIH

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases @NIDDKgov

NIH Women’s Health @NIH_ORWH

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists @acog

American Urological Association @AmerUrological

International Continence Society @icsoffice

Society of Gynecologic Surgeons @GynSurgery

American Urogynecologic Society @urogynsociety

Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction @sufuorg

Voice for PFD @VoicesforPFD

The International Urogynecological Association @iugaoffice

Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy @aptapelvic

American College of Gastroenterology @AmCollegeGastro