If you're experiencing constipation, find yourself straining to go, or have urine leakage, you may be exhibiting pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms. Both men and women are at risk for pelvic floor disorders as the pelvic organs consist of the bladder, rectum, uterus, vagina, and prostate. Your pelvic floor muscles wrap around your pelvic bone and support these organs.
Pregnancy can cause pelvic floor dysfunction. During pregnancy, your pelvic floor tissues and muscles become strained with the additional weight and pressure of baby. If you've experienced a long or difficult labor, pelvic floor issues are common after giving birth.
Here are some common pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms and information on how to find the right treatment options for you.
Pelvic floor dysfunction: What is it?
Pelvic floor dysfunction treatment
"The ideal provider team for pelvic floor dysfunction is a urogynecologist, OB-GYN or urologist, depending on the specific presentation, a pelvic health physical therapist, and a sexual medicine specialist," advised Jeffcoat.
"Identifying the primary driving force of their dysfunction is essential and unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter protocol for pelvic floor dysfunction," she added.
Pelvic floor dysfunction exercises can significantly reduce PFD symptoms
"My saving grace has been going to pelvic physical therapy for three years. It can make such a difference and for me personally, my physical therapist was able to work on my pelvic floor muscles to help them relax which was one of my biggest issues," VanDuyn said. "I noticed such a big overall difference when I consistently went to physical therapy and followed the homework she gave me."
Jeffcoat further explained that with most types of PFD, pelvic health physical therapy should be incorporated early on. This will help address any contributing musculoskeletal, fascial, or scar tissue impairments that could be contributing to the pelvic floor disorder. For additional information on pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms, visit the APTA Pelvic Health website and locate a pelvic health physical therapist near you.
