Other Conditions
In addition to disorders that affect the pelvic floor muscles and their function, Holy Cross Health’s pelvic floor specialists treat a variety of other ailments related to the urinary tract and pelvic area, including chronic urinary tract infections, painful bladder syndrome and abnormal bladder emptying.
Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
The occasional urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in both men and women and is often treated with a course of antibiotics. Chronic UTIs, however, require more attention and may be caused by other conditions of the bladder or urethra. Recurrent UTIs are more common in women, and particularly in post-menopausal women due to the decline in estrogen. Women experiencing frequent infection deal with pain and urinary discomfort as well as pelvic pressure.
Diagnosing and Treating Chronic UTIs
The pelvic health specialists are Holy Cross Health focus on identifying the cause of frequent UTIs and perform diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and cystoscopy to identify underlying medical issues in the bladder and/or the urinary tract that may lead to recurrent infections. Following a diagnosis, physicians work with each patient to create a personalized treatment plan for managing the frequent infections, which often includes a long term course of antibiotics as well as diet and lifestyle modifications.
Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome)
Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation in the lining of the bladder that causes pain and pressure in the pelvic area. This pelvic condition affects women who experience symptoms including:
- The frequent need to urinate
- Painful urination without the presence of an infection
- Frequent pain and pressure in the pelvic area
Diagnosing Painful Bladder Syndrome
The pelvic health specialists at Holy Cross Health work with patients to make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that is individualized to each person’s needs. In addition to a complete medical exam, your physician may also order diagnostic tests that include:
- A urinalysis
- Cystoscopy to get a better look at the lining of the bladder to check for existing inflammation
Treatment Options for Painful Bladder Syndrome
While there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, the symptoms and discomfort of this condition can be managed effectively. Therapies to manage the symptoms of this condition include:
- Physical therapy to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
- Oral medication to improve symptoms such as burning, painful urination and urinary frequency
- Neuromodulation – Electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves in the pelvic floor area can help relax the bladder muscles to ease urinary urgency associated with interstitial cystitis
- Bladder injections – Botox injection into the bladder has been FDA-approved to ease urinary urgency symptoms
- Bladder instillation – Special medication is delivered directly into the bladder through a catheter to provide temporary relief of symptoms
Abnormal Bladder Emptying
Incomplete emptying of the bladder is another bladder control problem that can cause urinary retention (a buildup of urine in the bladder that causes overflow incontinence or urine leakage) or urinary urgency. Abnormal or incomplete bladder emptying can be caused by nerve damage as a result of neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke or spinal cord injury. This is often known as neurogenic bladder and can also be caused by other diseases that affect the nerves such as diabetes.
Damage to the bladder or the muscles that control bladder contractions can occur during abdominal surgery or vaginal childbirth and can also cause bladder emptying issues. Abnormalities in the structure of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) caused by a birth defect or injury as well as enlarged prostate in men also cause incomplete emptying of the bladder.
Treatment for Abnormal Bladder Emptying
Depending on the cause(s) of the incomplete bladder emptying, your doctor may prescribe:
- Oral medications to control symptoms of an overactive bladder including urinary urgency and/or frequency
- Behavior modification techniques such as timed voiding or pelvic floor exercises
- Surgical intervention such as cystoscopy and/or Botox injections