Pelvic health issues in women can affect the reproductive organs, urinary tract, and bowels. Some common women's pelvic health issues include;
Pelvic organ prolapse: this issue results from weak pelvic floor muscles and tissues. Consequently, the pelvic organs drop through the weak muscles and press into the vagina. Pelvic prolapse symptoms include a leaking bladder, uncomfortable pressure during sex, bowel movement issues, and feeling an emerging bulb from the vagina.
Urinary incontinence: this is when you have a problem holding in your urine regardless of how full or empty your bladder is. Urinary incontinence occurs when the pelvis cannot support the bladder. Symptoms of urinary incontinence include urine leakage when coughing, laughing, or sneezing, needing to rush to the restroom, and passing urine if you don't get there in time. Also, if you experience urine leaking when you move or exercise, it is a symptom of urine incontinence.
Urinary retention: unlike urinary incontinence, urinary retention is when you cannot empty your bladder fully. Bladder sagging or moving out of its position or the pelvic floor lacking strength are the causes of urinary retention. Other causes of urinary retention include urinary tract infections, bladder weakness, and nerve problems.
Symptoms of urinary retention include a slow urine stream, inability to empty the bladder when urinating, difficulty starting urine flow, and frequent urination in small amounts.