3 Ways to Tell If You Need Pelvic Therapy, Surgery

Sixty-five percent of women nationwide suffer from urinary incontinence or pelvic pain and wait needlessly up to seven years to obtain treatment. Steven D. Kleeman MD, director for the division of Urogynecology and director of the Fellowship in Urogynecology at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, aims to change that.

How to Know When to Seek Help

#1: Overactive Bladder or Incontinence

Frequent urination and leakage cause women to limit physical activity. Some women experience incontinence as early as their 20s, but typical patients are active women in their 40s who have given birth to two or three children and begin to feel pelvic pressure or fullness, or as if something is 'falling' in the vaginal area, says Dr. Kleeman. "If you are afraid of leakage when you walk, run, or even sneeze, then you need to seek help," he says.

#2: Pelvic Pressure or Lower Back Pain That Gets Better When Lying Down

"Women who feel a sense of pelvic pressure or fullness may be experiencing vaginal prolapse, the equivalent of a vaginal hernia," Dr. Kleeman explains. "It can be dramatically helped through physical therapy or non-invasive surgery."

#3: Pelvic Pain and Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Pain is always a sign something is wrong, Dr. Kleeman says. "Help is readily available. Physical therapy and non-invasive surgery help women regain their active lifestyles and put the spring back in their steps."

Dr. Kleeman is always gratified to talk to patients who regain the ability to do the things they enjoy again. "Women feel excited and empowered after they get relief from their symptoms," he says.