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Diagnosis & Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Holy Cross Hospital and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital’s pelvic health program is designed with the personalized needs of our patients in mind, beginning with advanced diagnostics to non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical treatments, providing  comprehensive and individualized care.

Comprehensive Diagnosis of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Restoring your pelvic function and your quality of life is top priority for Holy Cross Health’s pelvic floor team. Through diagnostic testing and evaluation our specialists work with you to create an individualized care plan to help free you from the burdens of your pelvic dysfunction. Diagnostics tests that may be performed by your doctor for pelvic floor disorders include:

  • Computed Tomography (CT scan) of the pelvis, available through Holy Cross Health
  • Cystoscopy, a bladder study that utilizes a small cystoscope to look inside the bladder and urethra, examine the bladder lining and identify inflammation or obstructions. This study can be performed in your physician's office or at our hospitals.
  • MRI and ultrasound, available through Holy Cross Health.
  • Anal Manometry – A special balloon is inserted into the rectum to test the muscles that control the bowels. Anorectal manometry, available through the physician's office, is a test performed to evaluate patients with constipation or fecal incontinence.
  • Anoscopy — an examination using a small, rigid, tubular instrument called an anoscope, used to evaluate problems of the anal canal. This procedure is performed in your physician's office.
  • Defecography (or Defecogram) - This special x-ray study that shows the rectum and anal canal during a bowel movement is available through the physician's office. It allows the doctor to visualize what occurs as you empty your rectum.
  • Physiological studies to identify nerve damage in the pelvic organs are performed in a physician's office.

Non-Surgical Therapies for Pelvic Floor Disorders

  • Medication, may be prescribed by your physician
  • Pelvic health physical therapy, which focuses on pelvic floor rehabilitation and muscle strengthening and relaxation delivered by specially-trained physical therapists at Holy Cross Health.
    • Incontinence physical therapy – With a focus on strengthening pelvic floor muscles, Holy Cross Health’s physical therapists help patients understand the different types of incontinence, strategies and techniques for exercising pelvic floor muscles including biofeedback and Kegel exercises, and tips for managing discomfort.
    • Behavior therapy includes nerve and bladder retraining
  • Neuromodulation therapy which includes sacral nerve and peripheral nerve stimulation, is available through your physician's office.
  • Botox bladder injections are available through Holy Cross Health.
  • Pessaries, which are small, silicone devices inserted into the vagina to support prolapsed organs, are provided through your physician's office.
  • Dietary modifications including increased fluid intake and elimination of certain inflammatory foods and drinks such as caffeine and spicy foods, may be recommended by your doctor.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pelvic Floor Disorders

The following surgical procedures are available through Holy Cross Health to treat pelvic floor disorders:

For Urinary Incontinence:

  • Mid-Urethral Sling for Stress Incontinence (outpatient)
  • Burch Colposuspension
  • Fascia Pubovaginal Sling
  • Botox Injection of the Bladder
  • Injectables/Bulking Agents
  • Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Learn about these urinary incontinence procedures.

For Fecal Incontinence

  • Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence
  • Overlapping sphincteroplasty for Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Learn more about these fecal incontinence procedures.

For Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Robotic Sacrocolpopexy
  • Vaginal Repair of Prolapse – With or without Transvaginal mesh placement
  • Robotic Rectal Suspension (Rectopexy)
  • Robotic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy

Learn more about these pelvic prolapse procedures.

Learn about other pelvic health conditions and how they are diagnosed and treated,