Pelvic Health

Expert Care to Restore Your Confidence

Millions of American men and women have chronic pelvic pain or a pelvic floor disorder, but many don’t even realize it or seek medical care. While it’s far from easy to talk about these sensitive health issues, several effective treatment options are available—so you can welcome back a full and active life.

At Holland Hospital, we offer the compassionate, specialized care you need to alleviate your symptoms, often without surgery. Our experienced physical therapists work in tandem with primary care physicians, OB/GYNs and urologists to treat women suffering from: urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, bowel dysfunction, abdominal weakness or separation, prolapse, postpartum issues and more.

Learn more about the specialists at Western Michigan Urological Associates  

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Struggling with pain in your lower back or pelvis? Do you experience pain when urinating or during sex? There could be many reasons, but one often overlooked is pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The “pelvic floor” is a group of muscles forming a sling across the pelvis. These muscles and surrounding tissues keep pelvic organs (bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum) in place so they can function properly. Problems with one or more pelvic organs happen when the muscles or tissues become weak or tight.

Although women are more often diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, the condition affects men, too. It’s estimated that 1 out of every 5 Americans (of every age) experiences some type of PFD in his or her lifetime. More than 25 million Americans also suffer from urinary incontinence or involuntary loss of urine.

Care Centered Around You

No matter what you’re facing, or how sensitive the issue may seem, we believe you deserve personalized, comprehensive and prompt care for your bladder, bowel or pelvic condition. Our providers will take the time to get to know you, so we can better understand and treat your unique symptoms.

To achieve the best possible outcome, we’ll work closely with you to tailor an individual treatment plan based on your specific health history, symptoms and goals.

Your Team of Specialists

Our bladder and pelvic health team incorporates the expertise of multidisciplinary professionals, including pelvic health physical therapists, urologists, nurses, radiologists and others. Whether you need physical therapy or surgery, our responsive, caring providers will find the solution that works best for you.

Together with you and your primary care doctor, our team will ensure continuity of care. As our patient, you are the center of our treatment program.

Treatment: Your Path to Relief

With your help, our urologists and pelvic health specialists will get to the root cause of your symptoms. Depending on your condition and preferences, treatment options may include:

  • Rehabilitation: After a complete evaluation, your treatment may include hands-on techniques, education, biofeedback, electrical stimulation and exercises. Combined with lifestyle modification, these approaches can help you understand your body, strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, and relieve pain and symptoms.
  • Medications: Effective medications are available for people with overactive bladder and urge incontinence, a bladder control problem marked by sudden, intense urinary urges and urine leakage. Other medications can also improve the symptoms of incontinence by increasing muscle tone in the area surrounding the urethra. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 69 percent of people had improved symptoms after taking incontinence medications for eight weeks.
  • Hormone Therapy: Estrogen replacement cream is a targeted, topical treatment that delivers estrogen only to the treated tissues and surrounding areas. This treatment is considered safe for long-term use and does not have the same risks as hormone replacement therapies often prescribed for menopausal symptoms.
  • Surgery: If less-invasive options have been exhausted without producing satisfactory results, several surgical options can be considered to correct bladder control issues. The most common types of procedures involve slings, injections or implants.
  • Vaginal Treatment Technology: Minimally invasive vaginal treatment technologies to treat vaginal concerns—so you can regain your confidence and enjoy a healthier, more fulfilling personal life.