Chronic pelvic health conditions in women—including urinary leakage, overactive bladder and pelvic organ prolapse—are common and affect 20-40 percent of the adult female population. The good news is that they are generally very treatable with conservative, non-surgical methods, or minimally invasive surgical methods.

Urinary leakage caused by a cough, sneeze or doing exercise (otherwise known as stress incontinence) is quite common in younger women. It can affect a woman’s daily life—limiting an active lifestyle, playing with kids, etc.

The Urogynecologist experts at NorthShore’s Center for Pelvic Health gives advice about common urinary leakage treatments:

• Prescribed physical therapy program to strengthen or rehabbing the pelvic floor muscles.
• A minimally invasive, outpatient surgical procedure where a small sling is inserted in the vagina to support the urethra allowing it to close more fully. This procedure is for women who are done having children.

Does it surprise you to know that 20-40% of women at one point in their lives will have a pelvic health condition? What education and resources would be most helpful to you for learning more?