Jackson Hospital | Partners | Winter 2021

jackson.org 9 Himanshu Aggarwal, MD, MS, FPMRS Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Urology and Director of Comprehensive Pelvic Floor Center Sandra Whaley, PT, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy, Urogynecology/Urology Kimberly Corona, CRNP Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Urogynecology/Urology The help of an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist can help provide interventions for incon- tinence, pelvic pain and postpar- tum pain. A pelvic floor physical therapist can provide services such as biofeedback, internal stimula- tion, dry needling, bladder retrain- ing programs or dilator training programs. Dr. Sandra Whaley of The Jackson Clinic is part of the Urogynecology team and can help get you back on your feet with her extensive physi- cal therapy expertise! MEET OUR TEAM LIFE STAGE: • Pregnancy/childbirth • Menopause • Seniority RACE AND ETHNICITY: • Genetic • Race • Ethnicity HEALTH PROBLEMS/ MEDICAL HISTORY: • Constipation/chronic straining • Pelvic injury/surgery • Lung conditions/chronic coughing • Sexual dysfunction • Health conditions or injuries that affect the nerves • Emotional stress WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PFD? One out of four women (25%) 20 years or older suffer with PFDs. Most struggle with one or more PFDs—pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI—also called anal incontinence or accidental bowel leakage). LIFESTYLE: • Obesity • Diet • Smoking • Heavy lifting or exertion Conditions we treat Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are a group of conditions that affect the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor includes the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis. It supports your organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. The pelvic floor prevents these organs from falling down or out of your body. It also helps the organs function properly. What causes pelvic floor disorder (PFD)? In general, a pelvic floor disorder is due to weakened pelvic muscles or tears in the connective tissue. A damaged pelvic floor cannot continue to provide the sup- port that your organs need to work effec- tively. As this structure weakens, normal functioning of the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum can be affected. Symptoms of PFD include: • Urinary urgency, frequency, hesitancy, stopping and starting of urine stream, painful urination, or incomplete emptying • Constipation, straining, pain with bowel movements • Unexplained pain in the low back, pelvic region, genital area or rectum • Pain during or after intercourse, or- gasm or sexual stimulation • Uncoordinated muscle contractions causing the pelvic floor muscles to spasm PFD treatment Sometimes simple changes and interven- tions significantly affect daily quality of life. Urogynecologists provide a variety of treatment options, depending on the se- verity of the condition, and one’s general health and preferences. Often, doctors recommend a combination of therapies. PFD treatments include lifestyle and behavioral changes, or procedures and surgery. Lifestyle and behavior: • Diet and fitness • Pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegels) • Bladder retraining • Panty liners, pads, briefs, and diapers • Physical therapy, for the pelvic floor • Vaginal devices (pessary) and medicines Procedures and surgery: • Nerve stimulation • Bulking agents • Surgery To learn more about our extensive urogynecology services, visit urogynecologyatjackson .com .