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Office Management of Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

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Ambulatory Gynecology

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Abstract

As the population of the United States ages, more women will present to their primary care provider or gynecologist with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor dysfunction includes urinary incontinence, voiding difficulties, and pelvic organ prolapse. A thorough history and physical exam is important to rule out any pelvic pathology, such as bladder cancer, which could present with overactive bladder symptoms. While a patient who wishes to proceed with surgical management for these issues may need referral to a specialist, many of these patients can undergo conservative management initially with office-based therapies. Pessaries are effective for managing prolapse and in certain cases of stress incontinence. Behavioral and medical management can improve urge incontinence and voiding dysfunction. The general gynecologist should be familiar with the basic evaluation of pelvic floor disorders, office-based treatments, and the appropriate terminology for these disorders to assist with communication when referral is indicated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, USA

    Sara Kostant

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA

    Michael D. Moen

Authors
  1. Sara Kostant
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  2. Michael D. Moen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael D. Moen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gynecologic Oncology, Presence Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    John V. Knaus

  2. Presence Saint Francis Hospital, Department of Medical Education, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Marko J. Jachtorowycz

  3. Medical Education, St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Allan A. Adajar

  4. Presence Saint Francis Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Teresa Tam

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Kostant, S., Moen, M.D. (2018). Office Management of Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. In: Knaus, J., Jachtorowycz, M., Adajar, A., Tam, T. (eds) Ambulatory Gynecology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7641-6_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7641-6_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7639-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7641-6

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