The last thing women need when adjusting to a new baby in the house are more complications, but pelvic floor disorders, such as incontinence prolapse, are a common occurrence. It is thought to affect one out of every three women who have given birth, or approximately 13 million Americans.

Pregnancy and labor place tremendous strain on a woman's body, and over the years these stresses can weaken the natural support structure of the pelvis, causing the pelvic organs to shift or become herniated from their natural position. This shift of position can cause urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse as well as a decrease in sexual sensation.

Dr. Manish P. Patel specializes in female reconstructive surgery and is the medical director of the Carolina Continence Center, Piedmont Urology Associates in Charlotte, N.C. He says one of the most common disorders is pelvic organ prolapse – a condition in which pelvic tissues are unable to support the uterus, rectum, bowel, urethra and/or bladder, so that those organs slide, bulge or push against each other or protrude outside of the vagina.

"As a result, the prolapse can cause discomfort, especially after walking or standing for certain periods of time; urinary problems such as urgency and frequency to void; retention of urine; urinary incontinence (leakage); difficulty with bowel function; infections; low back pain or pelvic pain; and other serious medical conditions," Dr. Patel says.

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