Experiencing pelvic floor disorders is not uncommon for women, especially for those who have children. According to UChicago Medicine, one in three women can expect to experience a pelvic floor issue during her lifetime. And one in four women may experience frustrating symptoms like bladder or bowel leakage. But we don’t have to just accept this as our life forever. Pelvic floor therapy can help those with disorders manage their symptoms and restore their pelvic floors.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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What is the Pelvic Floor?
There Are Three Main Disorders
Per Columbia Surgery, the main disorders of the pelvic floor are lack of bowel control, inability to pass stool, and organ prolapse where some of the organs in the pelvis may literally fall down and out of place. People may also have problems properly urinating.
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Pregnancy Can Trigger the Issue
Per the Mayo Clinic, about 50% of people who get pregnant will experience pelvic floor disorders during pregnancy. This is due to the weight of the baby and placenta which can place a strain on the pelvic floor, often leading to problems with urinary incontinence.
And because some women can also experience constipation, per the Mayo Clinic, this can put additional stress on the pelvic floor. The pelvis bones also loosen to prepare for the baby’s delivery, which can cause further problems, the Clinic noted.
Pregnancy Isn't the Only Risk Factor
Although pregnancy can exacerbate pelvic floor issues, it’s not the only risk factor. The Mayo Clinic also reported that women who have a history of constipation or connective tissue disorders, those who frequently lift heavy weights, and those who smoke may also be at a higher risk. Per Franciscan Health, men can also deal with pelvic floor disorders, including erectile disfunction.
Symptoms
Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, some of the symptoms to look out for include bladder issues like leakage or frequently needing to pee, bowel issues like leakage or constipation, pain in the pelvic area, difficulty using tampons, prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed
The Cleveland Clinic also reported that once you talk to your doctor about your symptoms, they may ask additional questions about your bathroom habits, if you experience pain during sex, and your pregnancy history. Then they can also do rectal and pelvic exams to see if your muscles are weak, spasming, or knotted. There are also additional tests to see how your bladder and bowels are functioning.
All of this will hopefully help you reach a diagnosis so you can begin treatment if necessary.
Treatment Options
There are several types of pelvic floor therapies that can be used to address the issues. Per Johns Hopkins, options include lifestyle changes (like how you sit), muscle and strength exercises, myofascial massaging, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, and “biofeedback.” The latter uses sensors to look at pelvic floor muscles signals like contractions and relaxations, according to Northwestern Medicine.
