Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

By Sonya Siedelman, OTR/L

DAYTON–One in three women will, at some point during their lives, experience difficulties with stress or urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, pelvic pain, pelvic prolapse, or bowel issues related to pelvic floor dysfunction. Half of all American women will develop urinary incontinence during their lifetime. The estimated direct cost of urinary incontinence is $12.4 billion annually. Even though this is common, this is NOT normal.

The good news is that you do not have to live with these symptoms. Columbia County Health System is now offering Women’s Pelvic Health treatment through their Occupational Therapy Department. If you are struggling with any one or more of the following symptoms:

-Urine leakage with coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting, jumping, or running.

-Feeling the need to urinate frequently (average is 6-8 times in a 24-hour period).

-Barely making it or not making it to the bathroom on time.

-Dribbling after urinating.

-Needing to use incontinence pads or briefs.

-Often having to get up and urinate two or more times a night.

-Having the feeling of increased pelvic pressure.

-The sensation of pelvic organs slipping down or falling out.

-Frequent constipation.

-Feeling unable to completely empty your bladder or bowels.

-Having to void within minutes of a previous void.

-Having pain with intercourse.

-Pelvic pain (in genitals, pubic, bladder area, or low back).

Columbia County Health System’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Department can help you decrease or even eliminate these symptoms. At your next doctor’s appointment, discuss your concerns and request an OT evaluation, and we will be happy to help you on your way to improving your quality of life.