According to the NIH, 25 percent of women suffer from pelvic disorders. In today's health report, diagnosing pelvic floor spasms.

According to the NIH, one out of four women suffers from pelvic floor disorders. Unfortunately, many women suffer for years before being diagnosed.

"I had more of a frequency and feel the urge that I had to go to the bathroom, kind of like letting the bladder control you and stop what you are doing," said Ruth Weintraub.

It's been years since Ruth Weintraub could sit through an entire movie before having to go to the rest room. Her problem? A bladder disorder called a pelvic floor spasm.

"When we see a patient who has recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary urgency and frequency, deep pain during intercourse, especially if the urinary tract infection didn't have positive culture, that can be pelvic floor muscle spasms," said Dr. Elise De.

It affects mostly women and often stems from years of uneven posture caused by carrying large purses or heavy items. The stress on nerves causes weak pelvic muscles to go into spasm.

"The pelvic floor muscles are a network of several different muscles and these muscles are responsible for supporting pelvic organs as well as continence for both bowel and the bladder," said Cindy Cook, a nurse practitioner.

Pelvic floor spasms are often confused with a bladder infection, causing many patients to go on antibiotics unnecessarily. A standard pelvic examination can determine if the pelvic floor muscles are in spasm. Treatment focuses on strengthening and retraining the muscles using a biofeedback machine.

There are three sensors when the test is being performed, two are placed on the belly and that is to indicate when the pelvic muscles are engaged, the third is grounding, which is placed on the knee, this is when the problem is inserted and the sensors here can feel if the muscles are relaxing or contracting.

"The device also produces a graph on a computer screen. So patients can see muscles contraction as well as relaxation so that is the bio feedback they can make adjustments accordingly," said Cook.

Most patients have six, 30-minute treatments. Ruth saw an improvement within two weeks.

"I was a little skeptical at first but I am very glad I did it and I have learned since then certain, frequent when I go to the bathroom, I can go three or four hours. The nurses were laughing because I sat through Avatar and I guess that was good, "said Weintraub.