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Tag Archive for: urinary health

Posts

Relieve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: 6 Myths Busted!

October 23, 2023/in Conditions, Women's Health/by Jeanne Scheele, PT

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a highly personal topic, so it is rarely discussed among family, friends, and sometimes even doctors, leaving many individuals to suffer in silence. Consequently, there are common misconceptions surrounding the condition – which we’re here to “bust!”

MYTH 1: PFD cannot be treated.

FACT: PFD most definitely CAN be treated. The muscles of the pelvic floor are just that — muscles. As with any muscle, there are strengthening exercises and ways to reeducate the muscles so that that they regain strength and functionality. In some cases surgery is necessary, but usually, there are non-invasive treatments that can help you reclaim control of your bodily functions and your life. Treatments include a combination of physical therapy, relaxation techniques, and sometimes hormones.

Note: For physical therapy, you’ll want to work with a pelvic rehabilitation specialist. Pelvic rehab specialists are highly trained and equipped to evaluate problems related to urination, defecation, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain and prenatal/postpartum issues and can provide you with a wide range of tools to find long term success.

MYTH 2: Pelvic floor dysfunction is always associated with pelvic pain.

FACT: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is an umbrella term, encompassing problems with pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support the pelvic organs. Sometimes, but not always, PFD is associated with pelvic pain. The pelvic organs include the rectum and bladder, and in women, the uterus and vagina. With PFD, the pelvic muscles may be tight, damaged or weak, which can lead to a lack of bladder and bowel control (urinary or fecal incontinence). In women, “pelvic-organ prolapse” can occur, a condition where the pelvic organs drop, causing a bulge in the vaginal canal, which can lead to incontinence or pain during intercourse.

MYTH 3 – Incontinence, a typical symptom of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), is rare.

FACT: These disorders are actually quite common. In fact, according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Urology, which analyzed data from 15,003 women over the age of 20 and who participated in the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, found that the prevalence of any type of urinary incontinence was 53%!

  • Within the 53%: 16% of women had mixed urinary incontinence, 26% had stress only, and 10% had urgency only
  • Urgency urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence were highest among women aged ≥60 years
  • Stress urinary incontinence was highest among women aged 40–59 years

Another study published in 2022 in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, looked at the data of 5,006 women and found that approximately 60% had urinary incontinence (31.3% mixed UI, 37.5% stress UI, and 22% urgency UI, and 9.2% unspecified) and 32.4% experiencing symptoms at least monthly.

Questions? Give Us a Call!

703-532-4892 x2

There are few studies that have investigated pelvic floor dysfunction in men, however, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), urinary incontinence affects between 11% to 34% of older men.

Unfortunately, women and men both suffer from incontinence for years before finally seeking treatment. Obviously, many people are living with chronic symptoms that undermine their day-to-day quality of life — a fact made more tragic because help is readily available.

MYTH 4: Incontinence is a normal part of aging.

FACT: Although age is a contributing factor in pelvic floor dysfunction, the truth is that incontinence is NOT a normal OR an inevitable part of growing older. In fact, there are many factors that can contribute to the onset of incontinence, including a poor diet, years of being sedentary, hormonal changes, and being overweight. In women, pregnancy and childbirth also can increase the risk.

MYTH 5: PFD is strictly a woman’s disorder.

FACT: Although it is true that women are more often diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, it does occur in men too. Men can experience urinary or fecal incontinence due to weak pelvic floor muscles, just as women do. And like women, men also can exhibit coccydynia — pain in the tailbone — if their pelvic floor muscles are too tight.

MYTH 6: Your medical provider will be embarrassed if you bring up any issues you be experiencing with incontinence, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction.

FACT: This is the silliest myth of all!! Your physicians and physical therapists have heard and seen it all. They deal with these issues often. Your provider will ask questions to help you describe your symptoms and will be happy to answer any questions you may about the issues that may be contributing to your particular set of symptoms.

Remember, your medical providers are there to help you. If you are experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic or tailbone pain/pressure, we urge you to talk to your physician. At the Kaplan Center, we assess possible musculoskeletal and postural problems, as well as hormonal or dietary issues that may be contributing to symptoms. When appropriate, we also use biofeedback to help assess the health of the pelvic floor muscles. A typical course of treatment is likely to include physical therapy and may include modification to posture, diet, and physical exercise routines.

Now that we’ve busted the myths about pelvic floor dysfunction, it’s up to you. Talk with your medical provider, and get on the path toward resolution.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

Part I: Understanding the Urogenital System, Bladder Control: Urinary Urgency & Frequency

Physical therapist and pelvic rehab specialist, Jeanne Scheele, explained the urological system (UG system) and the factors that influence bladder urgency & frequency, stress incontinence, and normal/abnormal behaviors of the UG system. Jeanne also discussed several ways to manage symptoms in order to regain control and lessen the stress and anxiety that incontinence issues cause for so many women.

 

This article was originally published in June 2016. It was reviewed and updated in October 2023.

Hair loss affects over 50 million people in the US. PRP is an effective and safe treatment.

The Benefits of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

April 14, 2022/in Sexual Health, Treatments, Women's Health/by Lisa Lilienfield, MD

There are two popular procedures that I perform regularly using patients’ own blood products that have proven to be safe, effective, easy and relatively painless.

These procedures are safe because they use your own blood products (platelets) that have growth factors, and they are effective because these platelets attract stem cells to repair tissue, in effect reversing the aging process in the tissues.

The use of PRP has been around for decades for repair of tendons, ligaments and cartilage. The last few years the use has expanded to rejuvenate other tissues like hair, genitals, and skin.

Improvements in vaginal health (O-Shot ®)

Studies, and my experience with my patients, show that injection of PRP in the vaginal area (O-Shot ®) can improve sensation, lubrication, and improve symptoms of incontinence which can last a year or more. It also can alleviate a condition called lichen sclerosis which causes atrophy and discomfort in the vaginal area. Click here for more information about the O-Shot ®.

A fuller head of hair

For hair restoration, four injections of PRP into the scalp over a few months can revitalize hair follicles for a thicker head of hair. Periodic maintenance every 6-12 months will keep those follicles healthy. Click here to read more about PRP for Hair Restoration.

These procedures are easy and painless. Blood is drawn and a special centrifuge separates the platelets and the plasma from the other blood products. For the genital PRP, we use an anesthetic cream before injection so there is no pain at all. For the scalp, there is minor discomfort with injection using a very small needle on the crown of the head. Both procedures take less then 5-10 minutes.

If you are interested in a better you, give us a call at 703-532-4892, or check out the links above for more information.

 

Research:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32231853/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33909538/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32312505/

 

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

Let’s Talk Sex, Let’s Talk O-Shot®!

July 8, 2019/in Treatments, Women's Health/by Lisa Lilienfield, MD

It is estimated that up to 15% of married couples either have no sex or have sex less than 10 times per year. While some couples claim to still have a close, fulfilling relationship without sex, the majority of one or both partners in a couple are unhappy with the state of affairs.

There are many reasons why sex can decline in a relationship. The demands of being a parent, financial stress, medications, illness and declining hormone levels resulting in a decrease in desire and increase in painful intercourse, are a few causes of declining sexual activity.

Now, a new treatment is available at our clinic called the O-Shot® that uses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to revitalize tissue so sex can be more enjoyable.

What are the benefits of the O-Shot® for women?

Women who have received the O-Shot® injection report an increase in vaginal sensitivity and enhanced orgasm, as well as more frequent and more intense orgasms! Other benefits include improvements in vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and urinary control.
O-Shot® Benefits:

  • Increased sensitivity and sexual desire
    The O-Shot® can increase your desire and sensitivity for sexual activity, helping you restore the intimacy that you and your partner have missed out on.
  • Enhanced orgasm 
    After receiving the O-Shot® women report improved ability and stronger, more frequent orgasms.
  • Improved lubrication and urinary control
    By stimulating tissue growth, natural lubrication is improved which in turn makes intercourse less painful. Rejuvenation of your genital tissue also results in improvements in urinary control.
  • A safe, effective, non-surgical, and drug-free procedure with no recovery time
    The O-Shot® injection is a safe, effective, drug-free, and non-surgical procedure. What’s even better is that there is NO recovery time and results can last a year or more!

What is Platelet Rich Plasma and what does it have to do with sex?

Platelet Rich Plasma is a substance in your own blood that contains a tremendous amount of growth factors. It has been used for years in the orthopedic world to repair cartilage, ligaments, and tendons and now it is available for many other uses, including improving vaginal and sexual health.

Questions? Give Us a Call!

703-532-4892 x2

What can I expect from the O-Shot® procedure?

After a blood draw, the patient’s own PRP is separated from white blood cells. After receiving a local anesthetic, the PRP is then injected to the genital tissue and the natural growth factors in the PRP begin to work right away, stimulating tissue repair and rejuvenation. The O-Shot® is a safe and relatively painless procedure, even though the thought of a needle down there can seem scary!

How can the O-Shot® change my life?

If one or both partners want a change, starting with communication is key. Expressing one’s desire to be more intimate can begin to improve the relationship right away. Planning date time together without distractions is also essential, resulting in the space to talk and share feelings.

The O-Shot® procedure has helped countless women strengthen their sexual relationships while boosting confidence and self-esteem. Being proactive in your sexual and urinary health is a big step, but well worth the effort.

If the desire to change and be more intimate is there but there are physical issues, working with a doctor to test hormones and to rule out other conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease is important.

If you are interested in learning more about the O-Shot®, please contact us for more information.

Lisa Lilienfield, M.D.
Certified provider of the O-Shot®

Call Today: 703-532-4892, ext. 2

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