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