PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis, between the ischia on the sides, the pubic bone in front and the tailbone in the back. Both the anus and the urethra (and in women the vagina) exit the body through the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor disorders arise when pelvic muscles weaken or suffer connective tissue tears as a result of normal aging or trauma (e.g. during child birth). This causes a shifted position of the pelvic organs (i.e. bladder, urethra, cervix, rectum, vagina, uterus), which can lead to functional difficulties (e.g. urinary and fecal control). Pelvic floor disorders have a high prevalence. Throughout their lifetimes, more than 30 % of women suffer from some form of pelvic floor condition.