Pelvic health

Offering the latest technology and treatment options

Do you know that one in four women over age 18 suffers from urinary incontinence? At the Novant Health Maya Angelou Women's Health & Wellness Center, we know women. And we know that millions of women suffer from urinary incontinence – leaking when they run, sneeze or laugh; constantly feeling that they need to go to the bathroom; feeling pressure, heaviness or a weakening of the pelvic muscles. That’s why we opened the regions only multidisciplinary pelvic health center.

Continence and Pelvic Floor Care Program

With the Continence and Pelvic Floor Care Program, patients have access to a knowledgeable and dedicated female continence counselor. One confidential phone call will put the patient at ease, refer her to a participating incontinence and pelvic floor disorders specialist, and inform her of the latest technology and treatment options ranging from lifestyle changes, exercise, medication and surgery. Our continence counselor and expert physicians understand that there can be many causes for urinary incontinence including:

Pelvic floor disorders

Weakness or injury to pelvic muscles and ligaments in a woman can cause pelvic floor disorder, a dropping, or prolapse, of the bladder, rectum or uterus. When these supportive muscles, called the pelvic floor, become weak, stretched or damaged, the pelvic organs may drop and even protrude into the wall of the vagina causing a feeling of heaviness or pressure, like those organs are dropping out. Some causes for pelvic floor disorders include:

Once identified, urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders can be treated with:

• Lifestyle changes including scheduling bathroom breaks or Kegel exercises
• Medications
• Medical devices or gynecologic surgery