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Don’t Suffer in Silence with Pelvic Floor Issues

​​​​I have a good friend who has five kids. She delivered all of them vaginally, and since having the last one, she has been having issues with her pelvic floor. Well, at least that’s what she is telling me. She constantly has to go to the bathroom and sometimes it interferes with us hanging out. We went to see “Wicked,” and it is a long movie, but she got up five times during the show because she felt the need to go to the bathroom. I was like, “Girl! You gotta do something about this. This can’t be typical.” Her response was, “I think I just have to start working on my pelvic floor.” It got me thinking about what really happens after childbirth or as we get older. I reached out to Dr. Anne Stachowicz. She’s a urogynecologist at The Christ Hospital.

What is the pelvic floor?

I wanted to first find out what the pelvic floor is. You hear doctors talk about it all the time, but what is it, really? Dr. Stachowicz said, “The pelvic floor is a term to describe the bowl of muscles and connective tissues that create the base of the pelvis. There are three openings in the pelvic floor of females—an opening for the bladder, bowels and vagina. In the simplest of terms, appropriate functioning of the pelvic floor is required to hold in or empty the bladder and/or bowels on command, as well as to engage in vaginal intercourse or childbirth.”

What’s the most common issue?

Dr. Stachowicz explained the most common pelvic floor issues “include accidental bladder leakage, prolapse of the pelvic organs (such as the vagina, uterus or bladder), as well as accidental bowel leakage.” I don’t think I realized just how much the bowel had to do with the pelvic floor. It’s so much more than just frequent urination.

What to do if issues arise

If you are having an issue with your pelvic floor, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Dr. Stachowicz said, “If you are having problems with your pelvic floor, you should feel comfortable talking to your primary care doctor or OBGYN regarding your concerns. Many times, these providers can suggest simple behavioral changes to help resolve the problem. However, if your provider feels you need more specialized advice, they can refer you to a urogynecologist.” A urogynecologist is a physician or advanced practitioner specialized in pelvic floor disorders of women.

“Bringing up your concerns with your OBGYN is critical,” she adds. “As advocates for women's health, OBGYNs are an excellent sounding board for your private concerns regarding your pelvic floor. Your OBGYN should be able to discuss your symptoms with you, potentially suggest some treatment options and have the ability to refer you on to a urogynecologist should you need more specialized care.”

Talking to your doctor is important, and you shouldn’t assume that your symptoms are simply signs of childbirth or age. Don’t blow it off like my friend is doing. Dr. Stachowicz said, “Do not assume that the symptoms you are having are just a "normal" consequence of aging or childbirth without solutions. These types of issues can feel very isolating and create embarrassment; however, they are very common. It is estimated that approximately 25% of women over the age of 20 suffer from some sort of pelvic floor disorder and many have symptoms of multiple.”

Click here​ to find out more information on Dr. Anne Stachowicz.


Q102's Jennifer Fritsch

​​Jennifer Fritsch is part of the Jeff and Jenn Mo​rning Show on Q102, which airs on weekdays from 5:30-10 a.m. She is also a co-host on Q102’s Hot List, weekdays at 10 a.m. When she isn't working, Fritsch enjoys traveling, visiting new places and of course, being a mom! She has a daughter named Penelope, and thoroughly enjoys trying new things together as a mother/daughter duo.  As a paid partner of The Christ Hospital Health Network, Fritsch is eager to share all experiences through Healthspirations.​

Don’t Suffer in Silence with Pelvic Floor Issues What is the pelvic floor? What are some common issues and their causes? And what can be done about those issues? Q102’s Jennifer Fritsch talked to Dr. Anne Stachowicz to learn more.

​​​​I have a good friend who has five kids. She delivered all of them vaginally, and since having the last one, she has been having issues with her pelvic floor. Well, at least that’s what she is telling me. She constantly has to go to the bathroom and sometimes it interferes with us hanging out. We went to see “Wicked,” and it is a long movie, but she got up five times during the show because she felt the need to go to the bathroom. I was like, “Girl! You gotta do something about this. This can’t be typical.” Her response was, “I think I just have to start working on my pelvic floor.” It got me thinking about what really happens after childbirth or as we get older. I reached out to Dr. Anne Stachowicz. She’s a urogynecologist at The Christ Hospital.

What is the pelvic floor?

I wanted to first find out what the pelvic floor is. You hear doctors talk about it all the time, but what is it, really? Dr. Stachowicz said, “The pelvic floor is a term to describe the bowl of muscles and connective tissues that create the base of the pelvis. There are three openings in the pelvic floor of females—an opening for the bladder, bowels and vagina. In the simplest of terms, appropriate functioning of the pelvic floor is required to hold in or empty the bladder and/or bowels on command, as well as to engage in vaginal intercourse or childbirth.”

What’s the most common issue?

Dr. Stachowicz explained the most common pelvic floor issues “include accidental bladder leakage, prolapse of the pelvic organs (such as the vagina, uterus or bladder), as well as accidental bowel leakage.” I don’t think I realized just how much the bowel had to do with the pelvic floor. It’s so much more than just frequent urination.

What to do if issues arise

If you are having an issue with your pelvic floor, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Dr. Stachowicz said, “If you are having problems with your pelvic floor, you should feel comfortable talking to your primary care doctor or OBGYN regarding your concerns. Many times, these providers can suggest simple behavioral changes to help resolve the problem. However, if your provider feels you need more specialized advice, they can refer you to a urogynecologist.” A urogynecologist is a physician or advanced practitioner specialized in pelvic floor disorders of women.

“Bringing up your concerns with your OBGYN is critical,” she adds. “As advocates for women's health, OBGYNs are an excellent sounding board for your private concerns regarding your pelvic floor. Your OBGYN should be able to discuss your symptoms with you, potentially suggest some treatment options and have the ability to refer you on to a urogynecologist should you need more specialized care.”

Talking to your doctor is important, and you shouldn’t assume that your symptoms are simply signs of childbirth or age. Don’t blow it off like my friend is doing. Dr. Stachowicz said, “Do not assume that the symptoms you are having are just a "normal" consequence of aging or childbirth without solutions. These types of issues can feel very isolating and create embarrassment; however, they are very common. It is estimated that approximately 25% of women over the age of 20 suffer from some sort of pelvic floor disorder and many have symptoms of multiple.”

Click here​ to find out more information on Dr. Anne Stachowicz.


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