Types of Pelvic Floor Disorders

The most common pelvic floor disorders involve the loss of normal function of your bladder.

• Urinary incontinence includes the inability to hold it long enough to reach the bathroom after the urge hits. Small amounts of urine may also be released when coughing, sneezing or exercising.
• Bladder irritation includes frequent, urgent or painful urination.
• Urinary retention symptoms include difficulty starting a urine stream, slow or weak flow of urine or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowels. You may experience the involuntary loss of stool, bowel urgency, incomplete emptying and straining to pass a bowel movement.

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when tears or weakness in the ligaments, muscles or connective tissue allow organs to slip out of place. The most common symptom is a bulge or protrusion of organs like the bladder or uterus coming through the vaginal opening.

There are also less-common conditions, including:

• Urethral conditions – including urethral caruncle, urethral diverticulum and urethrocele
• Fistulas – an abnormal openings between the vagina and rectum that leads to stooling or urinary leakage through the vagina
• Anal sphincter defects – due to childbirth that can lead to accidental bowel leakage
• Postpartum pelvic floor issues – including painful sexual intercourse and perineal lacerations and scarring