In her clinical work, Elisha Jackson has helped many patients with pelvic organ prolapse. That's when the muscles and tissue of the pelvic floor weaken, and organs herniate or drop into the vagina.
While it's not life-threatening, pelvic organ prolapse often affects how patients feel about themselves - and their overall quality of life.
"When we take patients to surgery and repair the pelvic floor, patients are so grateful and oftentimes say, 'My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner,'" said Jackson, an assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine (YSM).
At Yale, Jackson supports patients with prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders as the director of Lawrence and Memorial (L&M) Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery division. Urogynecology is a subspeciality focused on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the female pelvic floor. The pelvic floor includes the muscles from the pubic bone to the tailbone, supporting the pelvic organs, including the bladder, urethra, bowel, rectum, and anus, as well as the vagina and uterus.
In the latest edition of Office Hours, a Q&A series that introduces new Yale faculty members to the broader community, Jackson talks about her interest in the pelvic floor, the stigma surrounding it, and how she spends her time outside medicine.
| Title | Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and Director of L&M Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Yale School of Medicine |
| Research Interest | Patient education, health care equity, and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders |
| Prior Institution | University of Texas Medical Branch |
| Started at Yale | Sept. 1, 2025 |
How did you first get interested in health care equity?
Elisha Jackson: At the University of Texas, I was a member of the Center of Excellence for Professional Advancement and Research. We tried to highlight the lack of representation in medicine for people of color and women in medicine. Being a part of that further underscored the lack of representation we have in health care. I started to look at other sectors facing the same issues; I wanted to understand what things have worked elsewhere and maybe take some of them and apply them in health care. For example, some of my more recent research has been around pay equity for women and leadership equity for women in medicine.
What first got you interested in the pelvic floor? Why center this in your work?
Jackson: When I entered medical school, I was actually interested in a different specialty. After rotating with different services and specialties as a third-year student, I realized that the other specialty wasn't for me. Then, my next rotation was a surgical one, and I realized that I really did appreciate the ability to fix something, see the results of it right away, and help people utilizing my hands. A few rotations later, I rotated with the urogynecologist, who I still talk to today, and I just loved everything about it. It involved geriatric care, and I love working with older patients. It also involved women's health, which I enjoy as a woman, and then there was the surgical specialty. So, it embodied all the things in medicine that I had grown to enjoy and appreciate.
There seems to be a lot of conversation about the pelvic floor these days, including on social media. But why has it been overlooked for so long?
Jackson: It can be embarrassing for patients. I actually published quantitative studies, and what we learned from that is that if you don't ask patients, the patients won't tell you because they're embarrassed. As doctors, we have to ask them and open up the conversation since most of the time they won't offer it up themselves. Also, patients who do discuss it with their doctors, which was already hard enough to do, sometimes are dismissed and told, "There's nothing that can be done for that; you have to just live with it." When I see patients, it's so rewarding to be able to offer solutions that will improve their quality of life.
How can people take better care of their pelvic floors?
Jackson: Studies have shown that about 20 to 25% of women actually recognize the pelvic floor muscles and can use them without teaching. We're indirectly using the muscles throughout our lives, which is why we can be trained to hold our urine. But as you age and as pelvic floor problems occur, you need to learn how to use them efficiently and proficiently. This is where physical therapy comes in, and that's really the best tool we have to teach women how to help their pelvic floors. If they can start there, especially after pregnancy, it could be quite helpful… Once you learn the exercises and learn about your pelvic floor, you can implement them during your own daily life routines.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Jackson: I love spending time with my family. I'm a basketball mom, so I enjoy watching games and playing with my sons. I am into the fine arts, including visual art, music, dance, theater - all of which I am able to enjoy with my daughter. I love cooking. After medicine, that's the thing I think I'm best at. My family and I also enjoy traveling. It's always cool to have new adventures with my family.
