Pelvic Health

You might think of pelvic health as mostly having to do with pain — painful periods, pain during sex, pain when having bowel movements. Or perhaps, the emotional pain of not being fully able to control how and when you pee.

As a specialty, pelvic health does treat these problems. But we also focus on your well-being because conditions like pelvic pain, incontinence, and pelvic floor disorders can affect all areas of your life, including mental health.

Pelvic health issues aren't just a normal part of aging and can affect people at many different times in their lives. Although these issues can be hard to talk about, know that you’re not alone, and there are many treatments to help.

UPMC has gynecologists and urogynecologists across Pennsylvania who specialize in diagnosing and treating a range of pelvic health conditions. We can also connect you with physical therapists, behavioral health therapists, and specialty clinics.

Everything we do is focused on helping you live your life as symptom-free and worry-free as possible.

What Is Pelvic Health?

Pelvic health refers to the health of your reproductive organs, bladder, bowels, and the muscles supporting these organs. Broadly, it can mean everything that gynecologists cover.

But, as a specialty, pelvic health focuses strongly on problems affecting the pelvic floor, which is the support system for all the organs around your pelvis. Your pelvic floor is what keeps your bowels, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum in place.

Doctors who treat pelvic health problems are usually ob-gyns or urogynecologists. Pelvic health physical therapists also work hand-in-hand with these doctors to help treat people.

Who do pelvic health specialists treat?

Pelvic health applies to everyone.

People who have given birth may have more struggles to maintain their pelvic health. Women in menopause are also more likely to have pelvic health issues.

But pelvic health includes all genders, including people who’ve never been pregnant. Health issues like chronic constipation, endometriosis, obesity, or other strains on pelvic floor muscles can all affect pelvic health.

How do I know if my pelvic floor is not working properly?

Most people wouldn’t know how strong or weak their pelvic floor was if not for certain symptoms.

These symptoms can include:

• Problems with urine leaking during exercise or when sneezing or straining.
• Having a lot of UTIs.
• Pain during sex.
• Having accidents where you can’t reach the toilet in time to pee or poop.
• Tampons that won’t stay in easily.
• Having a bulge where your vagina opens.
• Having a feeling that your vagina is heavy and might fall out.

Can I improve my pelvic health?

As with most conditions, there are some factors you can control and others you can’t.

You can’t control:

• Your age.
• Your genetics.
• The downstream effect of pregnancy and childbirth on your body.

But you can control some factors affecting your pelvic health, including:

• Not smoking (smoking increases your risk for certain pelvic floor conditions).
• Getting regular exercise and eating healthy (which can help with staying at a weight that’s healthy for you).
• Doing pelvic floor strengthening exercises, like Kegels.
• Eating more fiber and drinking more water, which can help with chronic constipation.

Pelvic health conditions we treat

Pelvic health conditions fall into some overarching categories, but you can have multiple conditions at once. Whatever issues you’re having, we can help.

The most common pelvic health problems are:

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) — When your pelvic floor weakens, your bladder, uterus, or rectum can push against your vagina. You might have a bulge at the opening of your vagina or a feeling of pressure, like something is falling out.
• Urinary problems — Different types of incontinence and bladder problems, in addition to recurring UTIs or inflammation in the bladder or urinary tract.
• Bowel problems — Constipation and painful bowel movements, as well as incontinence issues, like not being able to make it to the bathroom in time.
• Pelvic pain — Pain in any of the pelvic organs, including the vagina, bladder, and rectum. You might have pain during sex and/or very painful periods.
• Pelvic injuries — Injuries to your vagina or rectum from childbirth and other postpartum healing issues.

Pelvic Health Services We Offer

UPMC approaches treating pelvic health from many angles.

Some of our centers that treat people for pelvic health conditions include:

• Bladder and Pelvic Health Services (also known as urogynecology) — This comprehensive center treats the whole range of pelvic floor issues. You can see providers at multiple locations across Pennsylvania.
• Postpartum Pelvic Floor Services — Childbirth can stretch and tear muscles, tissues, and nerves. This program works with people who've given birth within the last year, offering various treatments and therapies.
• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy — Our specialized physical therapists can help with a full range of pelvic health conditions.
• Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery — Our surgeons have special training in treating pelvic floor conditions with the latest, least invasive techniques. We treat incontinence, POP, endometriosis, and other types of pelvic pain.
• Vulvar and Vaginal Health Services — Many conditions that affect the reproductive organs can be related. Pelvic floor issues can create vaginal problems.

What Treatments and Therapies Do We Offer?

Our goal is to help you get back to enjoying the activities you love. You may be able to reach that goal with more conservative treatment — or surgery might ultimately be what’s best.

Lifestyle changes for pelvic health

Changes like quitting smoking, starting an exercise program, and incorporating Kegels into your daily life can help some people improve their pelvic health.

Medicine or injections for pelvic health

Different types of medicines can help with pelvic floor issues, including hormone therapy, muscle-relaxing drugs, and Botox® for overactive bladder.

Pelvic health therapy

A pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) can work with you to design the right therapy program for your goals. It’s often a combination of stretching and strengthening.

Pelvic health surgery

We do different surgeries to help incontinence (like slings) and surgeries that treat pelvic organ prolapse. Many of these surgeries are outpatient.

Why Choose UPMC for Pelvic Health Care?

You have choices about your care. When you trust the experts at UPMC, you have access to:

• Robust programs — At UPMC, we’re focused on caring for you throughout your lifetime. That’s why we have so many programs and resources to help with pelvic health. We aim to serve people across Pennsylvania and even offer virtual care.
• Latest surgical techniques — Our laparoscopic and robotic surgery capabilities are state-of-the-art. These advanced techniques mean quicker recovery and less chance of complications.
• Clinical trials and new treatments — You can access the latest therapies, protocols, and devices. We’re an active research center for women’s health, and we’re always working to advance care in this field.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-06-20.