Recent research highlights that about 25% of American women have a pelvic floor disorder like urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, according to new research.
Such disorders are very common in Amercian women in the United States, according to research at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, University of Utah School of Medicine.
Despite such disorders being so common, many women do not raise their concerns with the doctors as they are too embarassed.
Even though women are embarassed, these disorders are a normal part of the aging process.
2,000 women aged 20 plus participated in the 2005-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; nonone was pregant.
In total, researchers discovered that 24% of women had a minimum of one pelvic floor disorder. About 16% of the women reported urinary incontinence, 9% faecal incontinence and 3% pelvic organ prolapse. This study did not study the very common incidents of women leaking tiny amounts of urine whilst sneezing and laughing.
Older women are more likely to report a pelvic floor disorder, especially those aged above 80.
Having been pregnant upped the likelihood of having pelvic floor disorders. With each pregnancy, this likelihood of incontinence or prolapse increased. Obesity and being overweight also increased the likelihood of pelvic floor disorders.
There are of course treatments available for such disorders, such as, pelvic muscle strengthening exercises and behavioral therapy. Surgery ought to be viewed as a final resort, if considered at all.
It is vital that women bring such disorders to the attention of doctors and not suffer in silence.
