As a women age, certain pelvic floor problems become much more prevalent. Simply educating yourself  and understanding how your pelvic floor works can be very beneficial.

Gaining weight can be the result of a pelvic floor problem such as urinary incontinence. For example a women is unable to exercise and be active because she has a big problem controlling her bladder. Overtime she begins to gain weight as she is much less active, this can then lead to depression and social isolation.Also of note is that women who are overweight will improve there pelvic floor dysfunction by simply losing weight

As a women passes into menopause and looses her circulating  estrogen; they become prone to develop vaginal and vulvar atrophy. This basically means that the skin of the vagina and vulva (skin around vagina) become very thin and sensitive. This leads to a variety of symptoms such as vaginal dryness , pain with intercourse, constant feeling of being irritated in these areas as well as urinary frequency and urgency. Historically the only way to treat these symptoms  has been with hormone therapy. There is now a minimally invasive laser treatment that is very effective ( see section on Mona Lisa Touch Therapy)

Vaginal birth can potentially injure your pelvic floor; especially if you sustain extensive tears of your perineum. If you develop a pelvic floor problem after the delivery of your child early rehabilitation can be very beneficial. You should always discuss the potential for a pelvic floor problem with your Obstetrician.

Prior Pelvic surgery can predispose you to a pelvic floor abnormality.It is very important that a complete history involves the exact type of surgery you have previously undergone.

Most pelvic floor abnormalities have a multifactorial cause. Certain women may be predisposed based on the fact that they suffer from a connective tissue disorder or may even have a genetic or cultural cause to their problem.