Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Understanding medical terminology can help you communicate more effectively with healthcare providers and better understand your condition. This glossary explains common terms related to pelvic floor health in simple language.

A

Anal Sphincter
The ring of muscle around your anus (back passage) that controls the release of gas and stool.

Anticholinergics
Medications that help calm an overactive bladder by relaxing the bladder muscle.

B

Biofeedback
A technique that uses sensors to help you learn how to control your pelvic floor muscles more effectively by providing visual or audio feedback.

Bladder Training
A behavioral technique that teaches you to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits to improve bladder control.

Bowel Incontinence
The involuntary loss of bowel control, ranging from occasional leaking of gas to complete loss of bowel control.

C

Catheter
A thin tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine, often used temporarily after surgery.

Chronic Pelvic Pain
Ongoing pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer.

Colposcopy
An examination of the vagina and cervix using a special magnifying instrument.

Constipation
Infrequent or difficult bowel movements, typically fewer than 3 per week.

Continence
The ability to control your bladder and bowel, preventing involuntary leakage.

Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by infection, resulting in pain and frequent urination.

Cystocele
A type of pelvic organ prolapse where the bladder drops into the front wall of the vagina.

Cystoscopy
A procedure using a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of the bladder.

D

Detrusor Muscle
The main muscle of the bladder wall that contracts to push urine out during urination.

Dyspareunia
Medical term for painful intercourse.

E

Enterocele
A type of pelvic organ prolapse where part of the small intestine drops into the upper vagina.

Episiotomy
A surgical cut made in the perineum during childbirth to prevent tearing.

Estrogen
A hormone that affects the health and strength of tissues in the pelvic area, particularly important during menopause.

F

Frequency
Urinating more often than normal (typically more than 8 times in 24 hours).

Functional Incontinence
Inability to reach the toilet in time due to physical or mental impairments, even though the urinary system is working normally.

G

GP (General Practitioner)
Your family doctor who provides primary healthcare and can refer you to specialists.

H

Hesitancy
Difficulty starting to urinate, often accompanied by a weak urine stream.

NHS (National Health Service)
Northern Ireland’s public health service that provides healthcare services throughout the region.

Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus, which can sometimes affect pelvic floor function.

I

Incontinence
The involuntary leakage of urine or stool.

Intermittent Catheterization
Inserting a catheter into the bladder periodically to empty it, then removing it.

K

Kegel Exercises
Pelvic floor muscle exercises named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, involving contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.

L

Laparoscopy
A minimally invasive surgical technique using small incisions and a camera to examine or treat pelvic organs.

Levator Ani
The group of muscles that forms the main part of the pelvic floor.

M

Mixed Incontinence
Having both stress incontinence and urge incontinence symptoms.

Micturition
Medical term for urination.

N

Neurogenic Bladder
Bladder problems caused by nerve damage or neurological conditions.

NHS (National Health Service)
The UK’s public health service, whose guidelines often inform best practices.

Nocturia
Waking up 2 or more times during the night to urinate.

O

OAB (Overactive Bladder)
A condition where the bladder muscle contracts suddenly, causing urgency and frequent urination.

Overflow Incontinence
Constant dribbling of small amounts of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.

P

Pelvic Floor
The group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support the pelvic organs and control urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
A physical therapist who specializes in treating pelvic floor muscle problems.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
When one or more pelvic organs drop from their normal position and press against the vaginal walls.

Perineum
The area of skin and muscle between the vagina and anus in women, or between the scrotum and anus in men.

Pessary
A device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs and treat prolapse.

Post-micturition Dribble
Leaking small amounts of urine after you think you’ve finished urinating, common in men.

Post-void Residual
The amount of urine left in the bladder after urinating.

R

Rectocele
A type of pelvic organ prolapse where the rectum bulges into the back wall of the vagina.

Residual Urine
Urine that remains in the bladder after urination.

S

Sphincter
A ring of muscle that controls the opening and closing of body passages (like the urethra or anus).

Stress Incontinence
Leaking urine when pressure is put on the bladder during activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising.

T

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
A treatment that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerves and muscles.

U

Ureter
The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Urethral Sphincter
The muscle that surrounds the urethra and controls the flow of urine.

Urge Incontinence
Leaking urine after a sudden, intense urge to urinate.

Urgency
A sudden, strong need to urinate that’s difficult to delay.

Urinalysis
A test that examines urine for signs of infection, blood, or other abnormalities.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
An infection in any part of the urinary system, most commonly the bladder.

Urogynaecologist
A doctor who specializes in female pelvic floor disorders and urinary problems.

Urologist
A doctor who specializes in urinary system problems in both men and women.

Uterine Prolapse
When the uterus drops into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic support.

V

Vaginal Cone
A weighted device inserted into the vagina to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

Void
Medical term meaning to urinate or empty the bladder.

Voiding Diary
A record of when and how much you urinate, when you leak, and what you drink - also called a bladder diary.

Vulva
The external female genital area.

Vulvodynia
Chronic pain in the vulvar area without a clear cause.

Common Phrases You Might Hear

“Functional assessment”
Testing how well your pelvic floor muscles work during daily activities.

“Conservative treatment”
Non-surgical treatments like exercises, lifestyle changes, or medications.

“Digital examination”
An examination using fingers (not electronic devices) to assess internal structures.

“Patient-reported outcomes”
How you describe your symptoms and how they affect your quality of life.

“Symptomatic prolapse”
Prolapse that causes noticeable symptoms and affects your daily life.

Questions to Ask if You Don’t Understand

• “Could you explain that in simpler terms?”
• “What does that mean for my daily life?”
• “Could you write that down for me?”
• “Is there a patient information leaflet about this?”
• “Can you show me what you mean?”

Remember

Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you hear terms you don’t understand. Healthcare providers should be happy to explain things in language that makes sense to you. Understanding your condition and treatment is an important part of your care.

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This glossary is based on terminology commonly used in Northern Ireland, the UK, and international pelvic health literature. If you encounter terms not listed here, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for an explanation.