Glossary
Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is categorized by any pelvic pain that lasts for a period of 6 months
or longer
Coccydynia - tailbone pain
Coccyx - tailbone
Constipation - having a bowel movement less than 3 times per week
Cystocele, also known as a prolapse of the bladder, is characterized by the dropping
or bulging of the bladder into the vagina
Diastasis
Recti - separation of the abdominal muscles
Dyspareunia - painful intercourse
Endometriosis - a disorder in which the cells from the lining of the uterus grow outside
of the uterus
Erectile Dysfunction - the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during intercourse
Fecal Incontinence - occurs when a person unintentionally loses stool or mucous from the rectum
Fibromyalgia - often categorized by chronic pain throughout the body causing tenderness
in the muscles, joints, and tendons. This disorder has also been called
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Flatulence Incontinence - an overabundance of uncontrolled, excessive flatulence
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammation of the bladder lining that causes bladder pain
and frequent, urgent urination
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a complex and common disorder that affects the lining of the colon
and can cause spasming, cramping, gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea
Kegel an exercise designed to squeeze the muscles of the pelvic floor
Lymphedema Fluid - retention and swelling (often localized) due to a build up or blockage
in the body's lymphatic system. It is also potential side effect from
various cancer related surgeries and radiation
Mastecomy - the surgical removal of the breast
Menopausal - a stage in a woman's life when her menstruation cycle changes and
eventually stops
Neurogenic Bladder - when bladder disorders that arise due to problem with the nerves that
control the bladder
Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction - when bowel disorders that arise due to problem with the nerves that
control the bowel
Nocturia - waking frequently to urinate (most people can sleep 6-8 hours with minimal
need to wake (0-1 times)
Overactive Bladder (OAB) - a urologic condition categorized by frequent, strong urges to urinate
during the day or night
Pelvic Floor - found in both men and women, the pelvic floor is the region of connective
tissue, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves that are key in the
aid and support in bowel, bladder, and sexual organ functions
Pelvic Organ Prolapse - the encroachment or bulge of the bowel, bladder, or uterus into the
vaginal canal
Protatectomy - surgical removal of the prostate gland (all or part)
Prostatic Hypertrophy - enlargement of the prostate (considered Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
"BPH" in non-cancerous situations)
Prostatitis - inflammation or infection of the prostate
Pudendal Nerve Entrapment (PNE) - a sacral nerve that dives through the buttock and hip region on both
sides of the body. This is a nerve that affects bowel, bladder and sexual
function. Entrapment or irritation of this nerve can cause an array of
symptoms including deep pelvic/ hip/ buttock pain, as well as bladder
or bowel urgency, tightening or spasms of the pelvic muscles, vulvar pain,
painful intercourse, extreme pain or difficulty with sitting, and many
other related disorders
Stress Incontinence - the most common type of incontinence in women and occurs when the bladder
leaks urine during physical exertion or activity
Urinary Frequency - urination is normal every 2-3 hours but more than that is considered
frequent urination
Urinary Hesitancy - most common in older men with an enlarged prostate gland and is characterized
by difficulty initiating or maintaining the flow of urination
Urinary Urgency / Urge Incontinence - urinary urgency accounts for the most common type of incontinence for
men. It is sometimes called Irritable bladder, Spasmodic bladder, or Detrusor
hyperreflexia as the incontinence occurs when the bladder suddenly squeezes
or spasms, causing urine loss
Vaginismus - a condition in which involuntary contractions of the muscles surrounding
the vagina (pelvic floor muscles) occur during attempted intercourse
Vulvar Vestibulitis - pain and inflammation of the tissue between the labia minora and the
vaginal opening
Vulvodynia - a vulvar burning pain occurring in the absence of relevant visible findings
or a specific, clinically identifiable neurologic disorder