How Women Can Support Their Bladder and Bowel Health from Youth to Later Years SCI Care: What Really Matters

This webinar, in partnership with Wellspect, aims to raise awareness of these issues. Originally recorded as a webinar, we decided to release it as a podcast as well. We hope you enjoy listening.

This episode will cover bladder and bowel management during the different stages of a woman's life, overcoming barriers to break the taboo in discussing such issues, the challenges and risks of becoming a mother with a spinal cord injury and the importance of a good bladder and bowel routine will have on your self-confidence all leading to empowerment and a better quality of life. 


To do this, host Ami Kivi, Global Product Manager Urology, Wellspect invites Dr Maria Gyhagen, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sahlgrenska University at Gothenburg University and Inge Eriks-Hoogland, head of the outpatient department of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, to shed light on this pressing women's health issue. Their groundbreaking research and advocacy work reveal the widespread impact of these disorders and pioneer new paths in care and empowerment for affected individuals.


The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders, such as incontinence and genital prolapse, severely impacts quality of life. Dr Gyhagen's research focuses on the functional dynamics of the pelvic floor, especially post-childbirth, emphasising its multifaceted effects, including compromised self-esteem and sexual dysfunction. She stresses the importance of early diagnosis and targeted support, which are often overlooked in healthcare. 


Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Calculator https://www.sphinctercalc.com/
UR-CHOICE Pelvic Floor Disorders Risk Calculator: https://riskcalc.org/UR_CHOICE/

Dr Eriks-Hoogland's expertise in spinal cord injuries highlights the unique challenges faced by spinal cord-injured women during pregnancy and childbirth. The podcast highlights heightened risks and the necessity for informed choices and collaborative clinical approaches, ensuring active participation in health decisions. Standardised guidelines in gynaecological care play a vital role in empowering patients and improving care protocols, advocating for a more predictive healthcare approach and addressing societal taboos surrounding pelvic floor disorders through greater awareness and dialogue. 

SCI Care Guidelines https://register.awmf.org/de/leitlinien/detail/179-014
We hope yo
The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies.


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The SCI Care: What really Matters podcast aims to provide valuable insights and the most up-to-date information for those providing care to people with spinal cord injury (SCI) worldwide. The vision of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) is to "facilitate healthy and inclusive lives for people with spinal cord injury or dysfunction globally".


Partnership and collaboration are key to achieving this vision. Our episodes include expert guests, persons with lived experience and representatives from the industry supporting SCI care.

We invite you to SAVE the DATE.

ISCoS 2024 will take place in Antwerp, Belgium 22 - 25 September 2024


Contact us directly with any questions or comments at admin@iscos.org.uk