Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is when you are unable to control the muscles in your pelvic floor. This can be caused by injury, as well as a lost awareness and connection to pelvic floor muscles.  Pelvic floor dysfunction is very common and treatable.

Research shows that about 1 in 3 women in all ages categories, experience a pelvic floor disorder. 

Often, we as women think it’s because their muscles are weak or lax, which is not typically the case. Stress and anxiety cause us to tighten our muscles. Our jaws get tight, our shoulders and neck scream in pain, but we may not notice that we are also stressing the muscles of the pelvic floor. Stress and anxiety in the body cause the same reactions in the pelvis that we feel in other parts of the body. Women tend to hold a lot of our emotional and physical discomfort in our pelvic bowl area.

Many times, muscles of the pelvic floor can be overly tight, which leads to incontinence. The tightness is due to both emotional stress and physical movements. Many exercises and daily activities can worsen pelvic floor dysfunction. High impact movements such as running, heavy weight lifting and jumping can worsen symptoms by straining an already-compromised pelvic floor.  Dysfunction in the pelvic floor ranges from a little bit of “leaking” after laughing to not being able to jump on a trampoline.

With the right rehab, you will be able to jump on a trampoline again, while laughing! 

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include:

• incontinence

• back pain

• pelvic organ prolapse

• pain during intercourse

• piles and hemorrhoids

• painful periods and/or Endometriosis

• chronic urinary tract or yeast infections

• vulvar, vaginal, clitoral pain

• constipation

What can help Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

While not often openly discussed, pelvic floor dysfunction is a very common (and treatable) issue. 

Methods of therapy including pelvic floor rehab and physical therapy, myofascial release and Pilates take a special interest in the pelvic floor, particularly its role in strengthening the core.  With a knowledgeable practitioner, pelvic floor exercises can be modified to create a plan tailored to your specific needs. The goal is creating a positive and enjoyable experience that will allow you to strengthen and heal pelvic floor dysfunctions without pain. Combined with mental health techniques of stress reduction and relaxation, your body will start to allow the muscles of pelvis to get stronger while releasing tension.

Can Pelvic Floor Dysfunction heal after childbirth?

Yes. And in any age range. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait 6-8 weeks to start healing your pelvic floor after childbirth. Once you are able to walk around, you can start a routine of very low impact, simple exercises to heal your pelvic floor. 

If you never had the opportunity to heal your pelvic floor after childbirth, it's not too late. Whether you had a baby just days ago or your babies have babies of their own, once postpartum, always postpartum. You never stop being postpartum. Your body, mind (and soul) are still there - promise! It is just ever changing and very different than before your children entered the world. Your muscles are still there - they just need to some attention and love.

Whether your delivery was a vaginal or by C-Section, your pelvic floor must lengthen up to two and half times its normal length to safely allow a baby to enter the world. This alone, can cause injury. There are other factors that can increase your chance of injury such as a pelvic tear that didn’t heal properly, size of baby or babies, structure of pelvic floor before childbirth. 

Nearly half of women describe childbirth as traumatic in some way. Traumatic childbirth leaves women (and their partners) more vulnerable to postpartum mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women tend to store a lot of that trauma in the pelvis.

Pelvic floor focused therapy methods allows the use of physical and mental techniques, such as Pilates, counseling and trigger point therapy to address the condition of your pelvic floor.

If you have a pelvic floor issue, don't hesitate to learn more about your treatment options right away. Pelvic floor exercises can be started as soon or even before you experience problems. Find a practitioner and a treatment plan that best fits your specific needs