Doctors say there is one particular aspect of your health that is often overlooked — and that’s pelvic floor health for both men and women.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Doctors often emphasize that prioritizing your mental health is important.
However, according to doctors, there is one particular aspect of your health that is often overlooked — and that’s pelvic floor health for both men and women.
Health officials and doctors describe pelvic floor health as maintaining strong and flexible muscles that support your bladder, bowels, and uterus.
Common disorders concerning your pelvic floor include leaking urine, leaking stool, and much more.
One clinic in Little Rock has been working to change that and encourages men and women in Central Arkansas to prioritize their pelvic floor health.
D. Sally Oliphant is a doctor at Arkansas Urogynecology and Women’s Health who explained that pelvic floor disorders are often overlooked and under-addressed.
“I think urinary issues may be something women ignore, and think is normal after childbirth or with aging,” she said.
That’s why her clinic has been working to alleviate this burden for men and women by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and treatments.
“So we have a cystoscopy tower, and that’s how we’re able to look diagnostically in the bladder with a camera, and then do some of the treatments for urinary incontinence and inject the bladder with Botox, through a cystoscope. We can also inject the urethra with stress incontinence,” she described.
The Mayo Clinic estimates nearly one in three women over the age of 20 may have a form of pelvic floor dysfunction. Though they suspect the number is much higher due to underreporting.
“One habit that I think a lot of women get into is that we’re always in a hurry, and you’re emptying your bladder and you’re pushing to get it done quickly. And that’s really not a good bladder habit to try and push to get all that bladder out,” Dr. Oliphant said.
Instead, she suggests taking your time, listening to your body, and recognizing when you need to check in with doctors.
“It’s really important not to neglect the health of the vagina, the bladder, and the pelvic floor,” she added.
For more information on the Arkansas Urogynecology and Women’s Health clinic, please click here.