Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic Floor Disorder

Pelvic floor issues mostly occur when the pelvic floor muscles are lacking enough tone (hypotonic) or are too “tight” (hypertonic). Some people may experience weak pelvic muscles and core muscles from an early age. Others may not notice problems until after certain stages of life such as pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.

Something many women may not realize is that when pelvic floor dysfunction is present, it is a result of over toned, too short pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor cannot function in this state. Think of it this way - you can contract muscles and make them shorter (as in a bicep curl) or you can contract it by making it longer (releasing a bicep curl). Strengthening your pelvic floor means loading it long (like a slow, controlled release of a bicep curl).

Overworking these muscles and connective tissues without learning how to properly engage the various muscle groups can keep you from relaxing them fully.

The most common reasons why someone may be suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction are:

Excessive pelvic floor tension

Pregnancy and birth

ongoing constipation and straining to empty the bowels

being overweight or obese if it contributes to excessive intraabdominal pressure

heavy lifting (e.g. at work or the gym)

a chronic cough or sneeze (e.g. due to asthma, smoking or hayfever)

previous injury to the pelvic region (e.g. a fall, surgery or pelvic radiotherapy)

growing older

Although it is hidden from view, your pelvic floor muscles can be consciously controlled and therefore trained, much like your arm, leg or abdominal muscles. A pelvic floor that is responsive to the varying loads placed on it keeps your organs functioning as they should--no more leaking pee when you sneeze. All people benefit from learning how to release and engage their pelvic floors, so that the pelvic floor reacts reflexively.

What are the symptoms of tight pelvic floor muscles? 

Symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction include:

Stress incontinence (sneeze pee)

Rectal incontinence

Incessant need to pee (urge incontinence)

Difficulty in emptying your bladder or bowel

A prolapse (in women, this may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging or dropping)

Pain in your pelvic region

Pelvic muscles spasms

Painful sex

Hypertonic pelvic floor muscles can result in painful and embarrassing symptoms. Pelvic pain and incontinence can be uncomfortable and embarrassing at best.. However, there are ways to begin releasing and integrating your pelvic floor muscles in order to gain back control over your body.

What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction causes are still being researched. However, there are some common conditions that are linked with PFD and POP. Some of the common causes for the structure of the pelvic floor to weaken include:

Childbirth & postpartum related issues

Delivery trauma and more