Glossary
Accidental Bowel Leakage: Inability to control the bowel, which can lead to leakage of solid or liquid stool (feces) or gas.
Antibiotics: Medications that treat certain types of infections.
Biofeedback: A technique used by physical therapists to help a person control body functions, such as heartbeat or blood pressure.
Bladder: A muscular organ in which urine is stored.
Bladder Neck: The narrow part of the bladder above the urethra.
Diuretic: A drug or substance that increases the production of urine.
Dysuria: Pain during urination.
Frequency: Urinating at short intervals, usually defined as more than every 2 hours or more than 7 times a day.
Kegel Exercises: Pelvic muscle exercises that assist in bladder and bowel control as well as sexual function.
Nocturia: The need to urinate frequently during the night.
Nocturnal Enuresis: Urine leakage during sleep.
Pelvic Exam: A physical examination of a woman’s reproductive organs.
Pelvic Floor: A muscular area at the base of the abdomen attached to the pelvis.
Pelvic Floor Disorders: Disorders affecting the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs; these disorders may result in loss of control of the bladder or bowels or cause one or more pelvic organs to drop downward (prolapse).
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A condition in which pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum, drop downward. It is caused by weakening of the muscles and tissues that support these organs.
Pessary: A device inserted into the vagina to support the organs that have dropped down (prolapsed) or to help control urine leakage.
Synthetic: Made by a chemical process, usually to imitate a natural material.
Urethra: A tube-like structure through which urine flows from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urgency: A sudden, strong desire to urinate, even though the bladder may not be full.
Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary leakage of urine.
Vagina: A tube-like structure surrounded by muscles leading from the uterus to the outside of the body.