You probably don't think much about your pelvic health unless you're having your annual gynecologic exam, getting a Pap smear, or experiencing a problem. But no matter what your age, the health of your reproductive and urinary organs—your pelvic organs—is important. If something goes wrong "down there," it affects your overall health and quality of life. And we know that you, like most women today, simply don't have time to put their lives on hold because of uncomfortable, painful or embarrassing symptoms.

When we talk about your pelvic region, we're talking about your vagina, uterus, urethra and bladder. And, when we talk about pelvic health problems, we're talking about conditions associated with these structures, like heavy periods, fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A report commissioned by the National Women's Health Resource Center found that at least one-third of all women 21 and older will be treated for one or more of these pelvic health problems by the time they turn 60. In addition, the report found that baby boomer women—those between ages 40 and 60—experience pelvic disorders most frequently. These pelvic-health related conditions can significantly affect your quality of life. Yet, all seem to be something women are reluctant to talk about it, either with each other or with their health care professionals.

And that's a shame, because with good medical care, each of these conditions can be improved or even cured. Diagnose and treat the problem and you improve your overall health and quality of life.