Urinary Incontinence is a highly prevalent issue among women globally, including underrepresented women such as those in the Hispanic community. In many Latin American cultures, discussions about bladder control and incontinence are stigmatized or considered private matters affecting an individual’s willingness to seek help from a pelvic floor specialist for preventative measures.
Common Barriers:
- Cultural Upbringing:Â Our environment can influence bladder training and perceptions of urinary incontinence whether it be stress, urge, or functionally induced. For instance, learning improper toileting habits, such as hovering instead of sitting, can lead to bladder detraining and urinary incontinence. This prevents the pelvic floor muscles from fully relaxing, a necessity for proper bladder function. Over time, leading to muscle tension and dysfunction, making it difficult to control urination.Â
- Pelvic Floor Taboo: In many cultures, discussing pelvic symptoms can be taboo even within a family. This is especially prevalent in the Hispanic community. Pelvic Physical Therapists follow strict privacy guidelines when treating patients, but take special care with our pelvic patients by holding sensitive conversations in private rooms. Â
- The Waiting Game: Pelvic conditions are easiest to treat when they first begin, and become more costly to manage as they become more chronic and complex. Being proactive can require bravery, but can lead to a smoother road to recovery. Access to pelvic floor physical therapy through large hospital systems can sometimes take up to 6 months. At Synergy, we keep one or two appointments open every week for patients who need quicker access to healing.
- Health Care Access: For many in the Hispanic/Latino communities, lack of healthcare access and education due to language barriers can significantly impact their ability to receive appropriate care. Â
Overcoming Obstacles:
- Ask the right questions: Finding accurate information online can be tricky, especially when you don’t know the right questions to ask. If you can’t discuss your pelvic symptoms with your physician, you can find some good information on Synergy’s website www.synergyptaw.com.  For more detailed pelvic physical therapy information, including where to find a pelvic specialist in your area, you can visit https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/. It’s important to remember that any kind of persistent pelvic (back, hip, or abdominal) pain, bladder leakage, or difficulty with regular bowel movements can be a symptom of pelvic inflammation.
- Talk to the right professionals: In order to enhance pelvic health education among Spanish speakers, engaging with Spanish-speaking pelvic health therapists is essential. These professionals play a vital role in bridging the gap by fostering open communication, understanding, and providing culturally relevant information and resources to ensure patients fully understand their conditions and treatment options with the ultimate goal of improving their overall quality of life.Â
- The Power of Posture:Â Education, comfortability, and encouraging proper sitting postures are all vital components to improve pelvic floor relaxation and overall bladder health.
- Be Proactive: If you or someone in your family might benefit from a pelvic floor evaluation, contact Synergy Physical Therapy and Wellness at 440.260.7670. Synergy offers culturally-sensitive evaluations in our 3 NE Ohio locations, and can coordinate your care with a Spanish speaking therapist to optimize your outcomes.
Authored by Dr. Liz Amaya and Dr. Cara Ogren
Dr. Amaya is a first-generation Spanish speaker with roots in Guatemala and El Salvador. As a Pelvic PT, she specializes in providing care and support to her patients in Spanish, ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing essential pelvic health services. Her background enables her to connect deeply with her community, addressing both physical and cultural needs.
