When “Normal” Isn’t Normal

For nine years, Jessica Hurley-Jones adjusted her life around a problem she rarely talked about. An avid pickleball player and yoga enthusiast, the 54-year-old Torrance resident found that pelvic floor problems were making everyday activities more difficult and often embarrassing.

“I wasn’t able to do the things I wanted to without the embarrassment of incontinence,” says Jessica, who assumed her symptoms were normal and simply part of life. “I was accepting of it.”

That changed after a conversation with a colleague who had undergone pelvic floor surgery. Hearing firsthand about her colleague’s experience prompted Jessica to seek help. She reached out to Melanie Santos, MD, medical director of urogynecology and pelvic health and lead physician for the Women & Children’s Institute at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, to learn more about her options.

Jessica’s experience is far from unique. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus and bowel. Childbirth, surgery, aging and other factors can weaken those muscles, leading to symptoms that may include urinary or bowel control issues, pelvic organ prolapse and discomfort during intercourse.

Pelvic floor disorders can affect exercise, travel, social activities and other aspects of daily life. Yet many women delay care for years, believing symptoms such as bladder leakage, pelvic pressure or discomfort are simply a normal part of aging or childbirth.

Dr. Santos says that many women are surprised to learn pelvic floor problems are often treatable. She encourages women to talk with their doctor rather than assuming symptoms are a normal part of aging or something they simply have to live with.

“This is a quality-of-life issue, and there are simple and effective solutions,” she says.

After discussing treatment options with Dr. Santos, Jessica decided surgery was the right choice for her. During an outpatient procedure, Dr. Santos inserted a small, supportive sling to treat Jessica’s urinary incontinence and also repaired her bladder prolapse to help with bladder dysfunction.

The recovery was quicker than Jessica expected. Within two weeks, she had returned to many of her normal activities. Six weeks later, she says, she was “100% back.”

“I can do jumping jacks in exercise class now,” says Jessica, who continues pelvic floor exercises as part of her recovery. “I would have done the surgery sooner if I’d known there was a simple solution.”

Dr. Santos says physical therapy can help strengthen the pelvic floor and support long-term results after treatment. She hopes stories like Jessica’s encourage more women to seek care sooner.

“When patients realize how easy this procedure is, they can’t believe it,” she says. “I’ve had patients cry from joy after the surgery because they are so grateful to regain quality of life.”

Dr. Santos says that for women experiencing symptoms, the first step is simply having a conversation with their doctor and understanding that effective treatments are available.

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers
San Pedro & Torrance

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