Pelvic Floor Surgery: Irene's Story

"For seven years, I suffered from urinary incontinence before I finally told my doctor. I was too self-conscious to tell anyone what I was going through–even my husband or my friends. I wish I had gotten help sooner. Now, I feel like a new person.”
- Irene*, 67-year-old pelvic floor surgery patient.

Your age and race are irrelevant. So is whether or not you have had children. Pelvic floor disorders—such as incontinence, pain, and pressure—can affect any woman by limiting her quality of life. And the worst thing you can do is to stay silent.

“Believe it or not, pelvic floor conditions are very common, and yet, women who suffer from them generally don’t talk about it,” says Anita Pillai-Allen, MD, Urogynecology, Holy Cross Hospital. “If they did, they would find they are far from alone.”

Pelvic floor conditions occur when muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs become weakened and lose their elasticity. As a result, the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum can slip, or prolapse, from their normal position causing urinary or fecal incontinence, difficulty in passing urine, or a feeling of pressure in the pelvic area.

“Many factors, including repetitive heavy lifting, chronic constipation, pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, obesity and atrophy of pelvic tissues during menopause can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse,” says Kathleen Sterling, MD, Urology, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments for pelvic floor disorders including pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, a pessary (plastic support device), and surgery. And, the time to seek treatment is when your condition begins to affect your quality of life—such as when you are avoiding exercise or social engagements. 

Irene's Path to Newfound Health

Irene’s story is typical. For years, she silently dealt with an almost constant urge to urinate. Before leaving home, she would calculate when to stop drinking liquids. Anxiety about having to go to the bathroom governed how she planned her day. Then, her symptoms worsened, and she started feeling pressure and bulging in her vagina. The feeling of urgency and pressure was now complicated by obstruction and inability to urinate, resulting in urinary tract infections.

By finally telling her primary care physician about her symptoms, Irene’s journey to freedom from her ailments began. 

Holy Cross physicians, Ellen Goldmark, MD, Urology, and Shobha Sikka, MD, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, with a specialty in urogynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, determined that Irene had severe vaginal wall prolapse. This diagnosis meant the bladder and rectum were displaced, causing urinary frequency and urgency.

“Irene underwent robotic surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital where I performed a minimally invasive procedure called sacrocolpopexy to reconstruct and repair the damaged tissues and correct the prolapse,” explains Dr. Sikka. Sacrocolpopexy is considered the gold standard to correct severe vaginal and uterine prolapse.

“During the same surgery, I inserted a bladder sling to restore Irene’s urinary functioning and prevent future incontinence,” says Dr. Goldmark. 

Minimally invasive surgery means less pain and faster recovery. Most patients are able to go home the day after surgery. 

“Pelvic floor disorders that include fecal incontinence may also require additional expertise,” says Rami Makhoul, MD, Colorectal Surgery, Holy Cross Health. “Our multidisciplinary team works together to help women get the right treatment for their individual circumstances.”

While there is no place like home, especially when recovering from surgery, both Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital offer patients the comfort of a private room.

After years of silent suffering, Irene now has her active lifestyle back. “I recently traveled to Italy, where I completely enjoyed walking for hours, so grateful to feel free and healthy again,” she says.