Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to properly relax and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles while pooping. Symptoms include constipation, difficulty pooping, urine (pee) or stool leakage, and a frequent need to pee. Pelvic floor therapy and medication are all options for treatment.
What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is defined as the inability to control the muscles of the pelvic floor Your pelvic floor is a collection of muscles and ligaments in your pelvic region. The pelvic floor acts as a sling to support your pelvic organs, which include the bladder, rectum, uterus, and prostate.
Contracting and relaxing these muscles gives you control over your bowel movements, urination, and, for women, sexual intercourse. Pelvic floor dysfunction causes you to contract your muscles instead of relaxing them. As a result, you may have difficulty
passing a bowel movement. pelvic therapy is suggested in such cases to overcome this dysfunction.
Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can present in a variety of ways, including:
Urine Problems: This could include urinary incontinence (leaking urine), frequent urination, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Bowel Issues: Constipation, straining during bowel movements, and fecal incontinence (accidental bowel leakage) are all symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic Pain: Pain in the pelvic region, lower abdomen, or lower back, particularly during intercourse or bowel movements, may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction.
Sexual dysfunction: Pelvic floor dysfunction may cause difficulty achieving orgasm, pain during intercourse, or a loss of sexual sensation.
Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Several factors can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, including:
● Childbirth: The stress and trauma of childbirth, especially vaginal delivery, can weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
● Chronic constipation: Straining during bowel movements over time can strain the pelvic floor muscles and cause dysfunction.
● Heavy Lifting: Regularly lifting heavy objects incorrectly can put undue strain on the pelvic floor
● Obesity: Excess weight can strain the pelvic floor muscles, exacerbating the dysfunction.
● Pelvic Surgery: Certain surgeries, such as prostate surgery in men and hysterectomy in women, can affect pelvic floor function.
What is the Best Treatment for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Doctors can treat pelvic floor dysfunction without surgery. Treatments include:
Pelvic floor physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you determine which pelvic floor muscles are overly tight. They can teach you exercises that will stretch these muscles and improve their coordination.
Medications: Depending on the symptoms, muscle relaxants, anticholinergics, or laxatives may be prescribed to alleviate urinary urgency, frequency, or constipation.
Relaxation and exercise techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can all help to relieve pelvic stress and tension. There are plenty of other pelvic floor exercises for women, that deal with these symptoms.
What Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Do?
Pelvic floor therapy, also known as pelvic floor physical therapy or pelvic floor rehabilitation, is used to treat problems caused by dysfunction or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are essential for supporting the pelvic organs (such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum), controlling bladder and bowel function, and contributing to sexual activity.
● A pelvic floor therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the strength, flexibility, and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles. This may entail a physical examination, a discussion of symptoms, and the use of biofeedback or other diagnostic tools to evaluate muscle function.
● Pelvic floor therapists recommend specific exercises that target weak or tight muscles and improve overall muscle function. These exercises frequently include kegel exercises, which involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles in a controlled manner
● Hands-on techniques can be used to reduce tension, increase flexibility, and target trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding tissues. This could include techniques like myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, and joint mobilization.
In Need of a Pelvic Floor Therapy?
If you need pelvic floor therapy, get in touch with FYZICAL Plano, we help manage your symptoms and get you back to doing what you love.
We have a team of the best pelvic therapy experts who are here to help in every step with certain customized plans for you.