Signs You May Have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

What are the signs that you might have pelvic floor dysfunction? Let’s talk about it.

Pelvic floor dysfunction means that the muscles and ligaments that hold your pelvic organs in place are stretched out. It affects 25% of women in the US.

Pelvic floor disorders are defined as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic dysfunction can affect women who have been pregnant and especially after a vaginal delivery of a very large baby or multiple vaginal deliveries. It can happen post-surgically, when the pelvic floor muscles that hold your bladder and uterus in place are weakened.

Signs of pelvic dysfunction are a bulging sensation in the perineal or vaginal area. It can cause urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence where you cough or sneeze and lose a little bit of urine. Further, it can cause urinary urgency or difficulty initiating urination.

Pelvic floor dysfunction can also interfere with proper bowel movements, as the rectal vault is not well supported, and you may have trouble having a bowel movement or cannot control your bowels with involuntary loss of stool. A vaginal herniation called a rectocele is when the backside of the vaginal muscle nearest the rectum separates. The rectum tends to push up into the vaginal area and it’s difficult to have a bowel movement.

Uncomfortable intercourse can also be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction. One of the issues is it often interferes with high-impact exercise and activity because jumping around can cause you to lose urine.

What can you do about pelvic dysfunction?

Physical therapy, including Kegel exercises, is one of the best ways to retrain your pelvic muscles.

If you’re menopausal you may need some vaginal estrogen to help increase circulation and tone the vagina while you’re practicing Kegel exercises or doing vaginal physical therapy.

If you need more information about pelvic floor dysfunction, please join us in our Hormone Reboot Training.

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