My guest this evening was Mr Shahab Siddiqi ; a Consultant General Surgeon at Spire Hartswood Hospital. He is also Lead Pelvic Floor Surgeon at Broomfield Hospital and that what he was here to talk about.

General surgery covers everything from hernias to haemorrhoids, but Mr Sidiqi has a specific interest in pelvic floor medicine and surgery, robotic surgery and irritable bowel syndrome.

Pelvic floor issues are a common problem but it isn’t discussed much as it can be embarrassing. Whilst not life threatening it can cause great discomfort and it’s important to realise that pelvic floor problems can be treated and you don’t have to live in continual distress.

The pelvic floor is a network of muscles, ligaments and tissues that act like a hammock to support the organs of the pelvis. Muscles can become weak; ligaments can be stretched or damaged and the result is prolapse of the pelvic organs.

It’s mostly women who suffer with pelvic floor problems, but one in five are men. Any age group can be affected and a surprising number of younger people. A long labour, the need for forceps delivery and hysterectomy are all risk factors.

There are a large number of options for therapy. The vast majority can be helped with simple measures to alter bowel consistency, improving pelvic floor function with physiotherapy and rectal evacuation. Some may need minor surgery for pelvic floor repair.

Pelvic floor medicine is starting to be recognised nationwide, but robotic pelvic floor surgery is only available in a few specialist centres. For more information contact Spire Hartswood Hospital.