Pelvic Floor Disorders

The pelvic floor is a structure of muscles and other tissues that gives hammock-like support to the pelvic organs, such as the bladder and rectum. If the pelvic floor becomes weak or is somehow damaged, you can experience disorders including fecal incontinence (loss of bowel control), rectal prolapse, and obstructive defecation (difficulty passing stool). Causes of pelvic floor disorders range from childbirth to pelvic surgery, and symptoms include constipation, urinary difficulties, and pain in the rectum.

Following diagnosis, there are a number of treatments for pelvic floor disorders, including biofeedback as instructed by a physical therapist, medication, and relaxation techniques. However, for cases in which pelvic floor dysfunction is caused by certain conditions, such as rectal prolapse, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Surgery for Pelvic Floor Disorders

Mount Sinai takes a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing, evaluating, and treating pelvic floor disorders, working with other specialists, such as urogynecologists, to ensure you receive the best possible care.

The type of pelvic floor disorder you have will determine the best surgical approach. Mount Sinai’s team is highly experienced in minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques, including sacral nerve stimulation, which involves electrically stimulating the sacral nerves that help control the pelvic floor.