Rhode Island Center for Pelvic Floor Disorders

695 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903-3200

(401) 453-7560, ext. 124
(401) 453-7573 fax
Deborah L. Myers, MD, Director

Pelvic floor disorders are an issue of growing importance, from both an individual and public health point of view. Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) include urinary incontinence (UI), fecal/anal incontinence (AI), and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Other related symptoms and conditions which frequently accompany PFDs are sensory and emptying abnormalities of the lower urinary tract and bowel, pelvic and abdominal pain, musculoskeletal dysfunction of the pelvic muscles/ligaments, and constipation and diarrheal states.

In addition to pelvic floor disorders, gastrointestinal disorders are very common in women and exacerbate PFDs. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a multi-factorial gastrointestinal condition, and constipation, one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, are often concurrent with PFDs.

With the increasing aging population, it is projected by the U.S. Census Bureau that by the year 2030, the population over age 65 will double to more than 70 million in the U.S. alone, and over one billion worldwide. It is estimated that approximately one third of women will experience at least one disorder of the pelvic floor in her lifetime.
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Why a Center for Women's Pelvic Floor Disorders?

The Rhode Island Center for Pelvic Floor Disorders at Women & Infants Hospital has been created to provide state-of-theart diagnosis and therapy for women with pelvic floor disorders. The Center provides a comprehensive service that includes both clinical care and organizational oversight.

Improved patient outcomes are an expected result from a dedicated network. Currently there are measures estimating outcomes and patient satisfaction in other medical areas which endorse the concept of forming centers of excellence and consolidation of specialties of practice.

What patients will be treated by the Center?

Women with:

Urinary incontinence
Fecal/anal incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapse
Sensory and emptying abnormalities of the lower urinary tract and bowel
Painful bladder symptoms
Musculoskeletal dysfunction of the pelvic muscles/ligaments
Gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation and diarrheal states

How do I refer a patient?

Women with pelvic floor disorders can be referred to the Center by contacting Kim V. Lombard, CNA, network coordinator, at (401) 453-7560, ext. 124. A referral form will then be sent to you to complete. Entry into the network can initially be through any of the direct patient care providers (urogynecology, gastroenterology, female urology, colorectal surgery).

Regular monthly meetings are held amongst network providers to discuss multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment plans. A summary of diagnoses, evaluations, and treatment plans are sent back to the referring provider.