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Newswise NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. Its a subject that many women may find embarrassing and avoid discussingeven with their doctors. Maybe theyll start crossing their legs when they feel a cough or sneeze coming on, to try to prevent an accident. Or perhaps theyre experiencing some unexplained pain or discomfort in the pelvic area. And just what are Kegels anyway?

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will host an educational event Nov. 13 as part of a public awareness campaign to help women impacted by pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Ranging from the mild to the more severe, pelvic floor disorders comprise a variety of gynecologic and bladder conditions that include incontinence, a continuous urge to urinate (interstitial cystitis), painful bladder conditions and pelvic organ prolapse.

Take the Floor Tonight: Break Free from Pelvic Floor Disorders will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Arline and Henry Schwartzman Courtyard at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), One Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick. Topics will include expert advice about signs, symptoms and treatment options for these distressing conditions; demonstrations of quick and easy exercises and tips to strengthen the pelvic floor; and anecdotes from women who have overcome a pelvic floor disorder and regained their quality of life.

Topics like urinary incontinence often dont get discussed, but the problem is much more common than people realize, says urogynecologist Dr. Saya Segal, assistant professor of urology and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. In fact, pelvic floor disorders affect about one in three women at some point in their lives. And while many women may view these problems as a part of the normal aging process that simply cant be cured, that fortunately isnt the case. With this event, were hoping to get people talking, and let women know what they can do to improve their quality of life.

Because of embarrassment or unawareness of treatment options, many women with pelvic floor disorders may suffer in silence. Our goal is to minimize any discomfort around having conversations about and seeking treatment for these conditions that negatively affect quality of life, adds Dr. Juana Hutchinson-Colas, chief of the division of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the medical school. Dr. Hutchinson-Colas, who also is the RWJUH chief of gynecology, with Dr. Segal and urologist Dr. Hari Tunuguntla, associate professor of urology, will present an expert panel at the event, which is co-sponsored by the medical schools Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and Division of Urology.

Obstetrician/gynecologists and urologists from the medical school also will be on hand throughout the evening to answer any questions about pelvic floor problems or other related services. In addition to the opportunity for discussion, refreshments will be served.

This event is part of a campaign launched this fall by the PFD Alliance, which issued new research showing nine out of 10 Americans underestimate or are unsure about the prevalence of these conditions. The Break Free from PFDs campaign aims to help women understand the facts about pelvic floor disorders and empower them with information on how to pursue individualized solutions for improved quality of life.

Online registration for Take the Floor Tonight is available at http://www.breakfreefrompfds.org/events. For more information, contact Nithalina Duncan at 732-235-7755.

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Rutgers and RWJ to Host Event for Women Impacted by Pelvic Floor Disorders