Advances in urogynecology.

Abstract

Pelvic floor disorders include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and bowel dysfunction, all of which can cause considerable disability and anxiety. One third of all women will suffer from these disorders at some point in their life. All are often embarrassing and may act as barriers to healthy living as many women suffer in silence. The field of urogynecology has evolved over time to meet the needs of women who struggle with disorders of the pelvic floor. An increase in the awareness and treatment of these disorders has led to improved scientific research in the form of prospective randomized clinical trials to develop a unified understanding of their epidemiology, biology, and treatment. This review explores the literature that has promoted advances in the understanding of pelvic floor disorders and discusses some of the new technology and research that is being done in the field.