What is The Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments between the tailbone (coccyx) and the pelvic bone located– you guessed it! - in the pelvis. These muscles support the bladder, uterus, colon, and bowel, much like a sling. A dysfunction in the pelvic floor can lead to an inability to effectively relax and coordinate those muscles which can result in things like incontinence, pain, and long-term constipation.
Symptoms present differently in men and women. For example, in women, this condition may be the result of a long or difficult labor and in men, this condition may be linked to erectile dysfunction.
What is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
This therapy is effective in treating problems related to the pelvic floor. It’s a set of special routines and exercises– some of which you can even do at home – that help relieve symptoms.
This therapy includes things like Trigger Point therapy, Kegels, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback.
The pelvic floor muscles can develop ‘knots’ called trigger points that are sensitive and painful when pressure is applied (internally and/or externally). Trigger Point therapy involves things like stretches (think common yoga positions) and injections of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications like steroids.
Sometimes a type of internal massage of the affected muscle can release painful tension in the pelvic floor muscles. Other times, biofeedback can be a good treatment option. Biofeedback is a technique that involves placing internal electrodes against the pelvic floor muscles which provides useful feedback and helps a patient gain awareness over control of the pelvic floor muscles.
What Causes Damage to the Pelvic Floor?
While causes of pelvic floor dysfunction are not fully understood by the medical community, a few of the known factors include things like:
Constipation and/or straining when having a bowel movement
Frequently lifting heavy things
Obesity
Traumatic injuries to the pelvic area
Pregnancy (especially with long and/or difficult labor)
Pelvic surgery
Advancing age
Cancer
There may also be a link between this condition and heredity.
What are Some of the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Incontinence
This is a condition that causes a lack of ability to control urination or bowel movements. There are different types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Incontinence
Leaks can happen when pressure is exerted on the bladder during activities like exercising, lifting heavy objects, sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Overflow Incontinence
When the bladder does not empty completely, some people experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine.
Urge Incontinence
This is characterized by a sudden, urgent need to go to the bathroom often followed by a small or copious amount of urine emptying from the bladder. You may find you need to urinate more often, even waking throughout the night to go to the toilet. Urge incontinence can result from minor conditions like an infection but can also be a sign of a more serious condition.
Functional Incontinence
This type of incontinence is typically characterized by a secondary condition like arthritis or mental impairment which keeps you from getting to the bathroom in time. If, for example, you suffer from severe arthritis, you may struggle with buttons or zippers before you’re able to sit on the toilet in time.
Mixed Incontinence
This type of incontinence is characterized by a combination of any of the above types of incontinence.
Pelvic Pain
There are many causes of pelvic pain, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis. If you are experiencing prolonged pelvic pain, or pain during and after intercourse, it may be that there is an issue with the muscles and connective tissue that make up the pelvic floor. In that case, your doctor may recommend pelvic floor therapy to correct the problem.
Prolapse
Prolapse is caused by weakness in pelvic floor muscles which results in an inability to support the pelvic organs. The pelvic organs drop and can cause patients to feel a sense of heaviness in the pelvic area.
Other Symptoms Can Include:
Difficulty urinating or having bowel movements
Feeling like your bowel movements are not complete
Long-term constipation
Stopping and starting while urinating
Painful urination
Lower back pain
When Should I See My Doctor?
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s time to see a urologist. The urologists at Norman Urology can walk you through the best therapies and exercises that will be most effective in strengthening your pelvic floor.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a weakened pelvic floor, why not schedule an appointment with us today?