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Prisma Health On Call: Answers to your urinary incontinence questions
Presented by a COLAtoday Partner
Women's Fitness Class stock photo
Dealing with urinary incontinence? You’re not alone — it’s estimated that 25-45% of women experience this medical condition. | Photo provided by Prisma Health
Welcome back to Prisma Health On Call, our Q+A series that connects you, our readers, to the healthcare professionals at Prisma Health.

This month, we’re tackling a medical condition many women hesitate to talk about — but that many personally experience. That condition is urinary incontinence (and other pelvic floor disorders).

Prisma Health urogynecologists are here to answer reader-submitted urinary incontinence questions — including those about treatment options, medication, pregnancy + more (we even got a question from a male reader).

See the full Q+A below. And big thanks to Hema Brazell, MD, Thomas Mattox, MD, Elizabeth Dray, MD, for their knowledge + expertise.

Q: Should women have incontinence issues for years after childbirth? I feel like this is very common, but not normal.

A: It’s true that urinary incontinence is very common, but not normal — unfortunately, it is “normalized” since it is so common. Childbirth is the biggest risk factor for developing UI. If you have UI that is affecting your quality of life and holding you back from the activities you enjoy, please see your local urogynecologist for treatment options.

Q: What is pelvic floor therapy and why does it help?

A: Trained pelvic floor therapists can help with a wide array of pelvic floor disorders. Pelvic floor therapy addresses issues with the pelvic floor muscles. In patients who have poor coordination or poor tone, improving muscle strength also improves incontinence.

Q: Is tearing during vaginal delivery linked to pelvic floor disorders later in life? Should I consider c-section to avoid my risk of developing pelvic floor disorders?

A: Vaginal delivery confers a higher risk than cesarean delivery for development of pelvic floor disorders. However, cesarean delivery has not been shown to decrease pelvic floor disorders, as women with c-sections can still develop urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Moreover, c-sections are considered major surgery and pros/cons of the procedure should be discussed with your obstetrician.

Keep reading for questions about treatment options, finding a good pelvic floor therapist, surgery, and more.*
SEE 9 MORE ANSWERS
This content was created in partnership with Prisma Health and written by Bethany Harris.*
Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Dec. 21
  • Columbia Open Studios is NOW OPEN!! | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Sunday, Jan. 8 | 12-12 a.m. | 701 Center for Contemporary Art, 701 Whaley St., Columbia | $75-$125 | This will be the thirteenth installment of 701 CCA’s Columbia Open Studios, during which the public is invited to spend two days visiting artists’ studios throughout the City of Columbia and Richland and Lexington Counties.
  • Winter Break Art Camp | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Thursday, Dec. 22 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Art Center, 1227 Taylor St., Columbia | $80 | Children ages 5 to 12 will be creating fun winter-related projects using clay and mixed media.
  • Carolina Lights (at the South Carolina State Fair) | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Monday, Dec. 26 | 6 p.m. | South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Enter Gate 6, 901 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia | $15-$20 | Come in your pajamas or holiday attire, purchase cookies and milk along the route, drive-through a second time (or third or fourth) the same night at no additional cost.
  • Holiday Lights on the River | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park East, 6071 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia | After Thanksgiving dinner, head to the holiday lights to sing along with the radio station that synchronizes with the holiday lights.
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 4D | Wednesday, Dec. 21-Sunday, Jan. 1 | Showtimes vary | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $11.95-$13.95 | The classic animation shines in an all-new, interactive 4-D Experience® (think: chilling air blasts, snow + more) at the South Carolina State Museum for the holidays.*
Thursday, Dec. 22
  • Christmas in Cola | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | Refreshments are provided and admission is free for children 12 or under.
Friday, Dec. 23
  • Christmas EVE EVE Shellabration | Friday, Dec. 23 | 12-11 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Shellabrate the season with a little buttah and a whole lotta lobster + live music during this special Christmas EVE EVE Cookout featuring lobster rolls (it’s the holidays after all...).*
  • Live in the Lobby: Koger Center Jazz - Take the A Train to Soda City, 2022 Jazz Season | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | 1051 Greene St., Columbia, | $23 | Experience this one-of-a-kind concert series designed for audiences seeking premier jazz and specialty experiences in an exceptional setting.
Saturday, Dec. 24

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Allsouth Federal Credit Union

Explore the charms of Charleston during this month-long festival 🏘️
MULTI.CHS-Historic Charleston house garden tour-2022.jpg
Get an inside look at the iconic homes and gardens that define Charleston — and the history that endures. | Photo provided by Historic Charleston Foundation
We get it, holiday shopping can be tough. This year, shake up those usual stocking stuffers and give the gift of travel (and some pretty incredible memories).

As if exploring Charleston any time of the year isn’t reason enough, next spring’s Festival of Houses and Gardens will unravel all the charms of Charleston in a whole new way. With dozens of events wrapped up in one, the Historic Charleston Foundation’s 76th annual city-highlighting festival, happening March 15-April 16, features:
  • House & Garden Tours: Explore the rich history + architectural beauty of Charleston by touring the epic interiors and private gardens of some of the city’s most famous streets.
  • Live Like a Local Events: From wine tasting to artisan workshops to the new Festival Music Series, experience the best of Charleston’s culture — like a local.
  • Splendor Tours: Tour the city’s most splendorous gardens and architectural wonders.
  • Morning History Walks: Stroll Charleston’s historic districts on these guided walking tours.
  • Food For Thought Luncheon Lectures: Lunch and learn with expert speakers, who will elaborate on a variety of topics.*
SEE MORE EVENTS + SNAG TICKETS

Weather
  • 45º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain
  • Jack Frost may be catching a ride on Santa’s sleigh. An Arctic air cold front is moving into the Southeast, bringing frigid temperatures with it. For Saturday, expect the high to be in mid-30ºs and the low to be in the teens. 🧤 (WLTX)
Civic
  • The City of Columbia is offering free parking in all gated parking facilities and on-street meters from Thursday, Dec. 22-Monday, Dec. 26. For New Year’s, on-street meters will not be enforced on Monday, Jan. 2, and parking gates will be raised on Friday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.- Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 2 a.m. 🅿️
Number
  • 40. That’s the number of new signs that will be installed along the West Columbia and City of Cayce Riverwalks. Thanks to a $150,000 South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT) grant, the new signs will give visitors a better sense of where they are and highlight important stops along the paths. (Cola Daily)
Community
  • The Cayce Police Department is hosting its annual Shop with a Cop event tomorrow from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Walmart located at 2401 Augusta Rd. in West Columbia. The annual event gives the community a chance to interact with police officers on a personal level and receive holiday items. 🧸
Drink
  • Drop it like it’s hot chocolate. If the holiday season has you craving warm, seasonal goodness, head to Indah Coffee for a pecan pie latte or Oliver Gospel Roastery for a white raspberry hot cocoa — don’t forget to order yours with marshmallows, of course. ☕
Holiday
  • The forecast this season is cloudy with a chance of reindeer. If you’re looking for ways to ring in the holiday with family, here are 30+ local events happening around Cola that you can comb through and won’t want to miss. 🎄
Seasonal
Wellness
Sports
  • Need to know just enough of what happened during the World Cup for your next holiday party? Get The GIST.*
Shop
  • Don’t stress over finding last-minute gifts. Make gifting easy by selecting a gift card to our COLAtoday shop, Six & Main. From candles to clothes, there’s something for everyone. Purchase a gift card today. 🎁
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Lowes Foods

Local page-turners 📚

Books written by authors with Columbia connections
Local authors section at Richland Library
The local authors section at Richland Library is located at the first floor entrance. | Photo by COLAtoday
What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor (or former neighbor). Here’s a handful of ones we love.
If you ask us, where you read the book is almost as important as the book itself. Share your go-to reading spot.
10+ MORE LOCAL BOOKS
Prisma Health
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: Has anyone else seen this? It looks like Columbia will have a new Banh Mi Boy Sandwich shop in the Spring of 2023. 👀

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read an interview with Gamecock Women’s soccer coach, Shelley Smith, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith | Advertise with us.

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