Pelvic Health Resources & FAQs

First, you should consider the team's experience with treating your condition. If the team has a history of successful outcomes, has done extensive research, conducted clinical trials , and has published their work, that̠s a good indication they̠re leaders in the field and you̠ll be in good hands. A second consideration is the technology used for diagnosis and treatment. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health offers a state-of-the-art video urodynamics lab and a wide range of the latest surgical and nonsurgical treatment options

Our state-of-the-art video urodynamics lab provides us with simultaneous electronic tracings of bladder activity and video imaging of the bladder in motion. Both are important to determine the cause and type of incontinence you may be experiencing. Our specialists all have expertise in interpreting this data.

We are proud of our designation as a Virginia Mason Center of Excellence. This recognition is selectively given to a team of providers who are nationally recognized for patient care and advance medical knowledge by researching and applying state-of-the-art methods and technologies.

You may start to notice that sharing a good laugh with friends, sneezing, coughing, doing jumping jacks or jogging during a workout causes leakage. The fact is any degree of incontinence that bothers you is a reason to discuss it with your primary care doctor. If you aren't finding the solution to your problem, ask your doctor for a referral to the Pelvic Floor Center at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

We believe there is appropriate treatment for every patient and that you are a true partner in managing your condition. We dedicate time to discussing all your options and offer suggestions for returning to an active, unrestricted life.

Our highly trained support staff can discuss your particular issue and help you decide the best provider for you to see.

Yes, there are several conservative treatment options, ranging from physical therapy and incontinence aids for stress incontinence to dietary changes, Botox treatments, habit changes, bladder training, and medications for urge incontinence. We also use neuromodulation, a technique that retrains the bladder nerve response using small amounts of direct electrical stimulation to the nerves themselves. Our team of women's health experts considers the least-invasive approaches to treating your pelvic health concerns first. 

Sometimes reducing your fluid intake; avoiding nicotine, caffeine and carbonated beverages; or regularly practicing pelvic floor exercises will help reduce or eliminate leakage. If these suggestions don’t help, you should consider seeking medical attention. 

Success rates and recovery periods depend on your specific continence problem, but many of our procedures have success rates as high as 80 to 90 percent over the long term. Recovery can range from overnight for most procedures to six weeks for full recovery from bladder augmentation surgery.

Pelvic floor prolapse is a weakening of the pelvic floor, allowing the bladder or the vagina to bulge downward, often causing incontinence. Pelvic prolapse can be the result of childbirth or hormonal changes during menopause. More than 90,000 hysterectomies are performed each year for pelvic prolapse, yet the hysterectomy may not resolve the incontinence. We use innovative techniques and materials for pelvic floor reconstruction, resulting in a 90 to 95 percent success rate.

We use several different innovative types of sling materials and surgical treatments, including a variety of permanent mesh products or fibrous tissue called fascia.

We have experience in choosing the best material for you, as well as the correct surgical approach to place the material for optimal results. The center has performed and published the results of several clinical trials using these techniques and materials at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. We will thoroughly evaluate your particular symptoms, the results of testing in our incontinence lab, and your personal preferences to help make the best choice for you.