Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common condition that is characterized by an inability to control the muscles of the pelvic floor, leading to leakage of urine, constipation, incontinence, and other associated problems.
A pelvic floor dysfunction specialist can help identify which treatments are right for you and begin your journey back towards health. If you are looking for the best professionals in the area, we recommend booking a pelvic floor dysfunction treatment in South Miami, Florida.
That said, pelvic floor disorder is widespread. If you are looking for updated information on the symptoms, causes, and treatments available for this condition, you are in the right place. This article will help you identify the symptoms of pelvic floor disorder and much more. Educate yourself today and take your first step towards better health. Keep on reading for more.
What is the Pelvic Floor, and What are its Functions?
Before understanding pelvic floor dyssynergia, or dysfunction, it is essential to explain why a properly functioning pelvic floor is vital to your health.
In short, the pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles that form a natural support system for the bladder, bowel, and uterus.
The pelvic floor is made up of a complex network of muscles, connective tissue, and nerves. Moreover, it also helps to control urination, defecation, and sexual function.
The pelvic organs consist of:
- The prostate (in men)
- The vagina and the uterus (in women)
- The bladder (this is the pouch that holds urine)
- The rectum (located at the end of your large intestine where the body stores waste)
Pelvic floor exercises are often recommended for people who want to improve their urinary or fecal incontinence. Pelvic floor exercises can also be used to help women with childbirth or those who have had surgery on their pelvic organs because it allows the body to return to its pre-surgery state faster.
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition that involves the muscles and nerves of the pelvic floor. As previously mentioned, this is a group of muscles and nerves in the pelvis that help to control bowel movements, bladder function, and sexual activity.
Healthy individuals, or patients without pelvic floor dyssynergia, can go to the bathroom normally without experiencing issues such as pain, stool or urine leakage, and incomplete bowel movements.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by:
- Childbirth
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Chronic coughing or sneezing
- Poor posture
- Obesity
- Aging
- Menopause
- Prostate surgery
The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction vary from person to person. Some people may experience pain during intercourse, while others may have difficulty emptying their bowels or bladder.
As noted, many women may experience pelvic floor dyssynergia or dysfunction after giving birth. The reason for this is that during pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles and the normal tissues become strained. This is especially true for women who undergo strenuous, long, and challenging labor.
In some cases, pelvic floor disorder runs in the family. In this case, the condition is considered “hereditary.” Up to this day, researchers are looking for the possible genetic causes of this condition.
Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disorder
Now that you are aware of the definition of “what is pelvic floor dysfunction,” let us look at how to identify this condition. Here are some of the most common and rarer symptoms that may point to pelvic floor disorder.
Remember, if you are experiencing any symptoms of pelvic floor dyssynergia, or you have any other concerns related to your health and well-being, consult a trained professional at Obstetrics and Gynecology in South Miami. By choosing to talk to a reliable expert in a safe clinic, you ensure that the symptoms are addressed on time. This way, the results are guaranteed.
Symptoms include:
- Leakage of feces or urine
- Long-term constipation or diarrhea
- Difficulty having bowel movements or urinating
- Feeling like you haven’t emptied your bowels completely
- Pain when urinating
- Pain when defecating
- You stop and start in the middle of urination
- Unexplained pain in the lower back
- Experiencing pelvic floor pain
- Unexplained pain in the anus or the genitals
- Frequent urge to use the bathroom
- Feeling like you must force out feces or urine
- Needing to switch positions to have a bowel movement
Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia: Differences and Similarities Between Women and Men
Women and men experience pelvic floor dysfunction in different ways. Here are the main pelvic floor conditions that are unique to women and men.
Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia in Women
Pelvic floor disorder can have an impact on the female patient’s reproductive well-being by affecting the vagina and the uterus. For instance, women with this condition can experience uncomfortable symptoms during sexual intercourse, such as pain. However, it is essential to differentiate between pelvic floor disorder and pelvic organ prolapse. Namely, the latter happens when the muscles that keep the female pelvic organs in place (such as the bladder, rectum, and uterus) become loose and stretched out. This condition can lead to the protrusion of the organs.
Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia in Men
Yearly, millions of male patients globally experience weak pelvic muscles. Since these muscles function as a part of the reproductive and excretory (or waste) systems during sexual intercourse and urination, pelvic floor disorder can be accompanied by many other challenges that affect men, such as:
- Prostatitis: The symptoms of pelvic floor disorder may resemble prostatitis, the inflammation or infection of the prostate (the reproductive gland in males). This condition is typically caused by nervous system trauma, sexually transmitted infections or STIs, or bacteria.
- Erectile Dysfunction or ED: This condition is when male patients cannot maintain or get an erection during sexual intercourse. In some cases, the cause is pain or pelvic muscle tension.
- Male urinary dysfunction: Men with this condition may experience urine leakage post urination, incontinence, and other bowel or bladder-related complications.
Pelvic Floor Disorder vs. Interstitial Cystitis
Patients with interstitial cystitis can get pelvic floor dysfunction. Here is how. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that affects the bladder, causing pain in the bladder or the pelvis. Due to pelvic floor pain, the patient may lose muscle strength and relaxation, leading to pelvic floor dyssynergia. So, if you have one of these conditions, you may be at risk of attaining the other.
Moreover, patients taking medications such as antidepressants may become constipated. Furthermore, constipation can lead to more severe symptoms of pelvic floor disorder. Whenever in doubt, consult with a trained healthcare professional at a safe and reliable clinic.
Diagnosing Pelvic Floor Disorder
The diagnosis process for this condition is straightforward. Your healthcare professional will begin by asking about the symptoms you are experiencing. They will also ask you about your medical history. Some other questions you may be asked include:
- If you are a woman, have you given birth?
- If you are a woman, do you experience painful sex?
- Have you ever had urinary tract infections?
- Do you have irritable bowel syndrome or interstitial cystitis?
- Do you need to strain when passing a bowel movement?
- Do you experience pelvic floor pain?
Besides that, the healthcare provider may suggest a physical exam to check how well the patient controls the pelvic floor muscles. With the hands, the professional will look for weakness, knots, or spasms in the pelvic floor muscles. You may also undergo a vaginal exam or an intrarectal exam.
Some other tests include:
- A defecating proctogram: This is a painless test where the expert gives you an enema of a liquid only noticeable via an X-ray. The expert will record your muscles’ movement as you try to push this liquid out of your rectum. This test helps determine how well the patient passes a bowel movement.
- Anorectal manometry: This painless test measures how well your anal sphincters are functioning. The test analyzes coordination, muscle strength, and pressure.
- Surface electrodes: This pain-free test involves lacing self-adhesive pads on the patient’s skin. The expert tests the control of the pelvic muscle, and it is a suitable procedure for people who do not wish for an internal exam. The professional will place the electrodes on the sacrum (the triangular bone on the base of the patient’s spine) and the perineum (the place between the rectum and the vagina for females or between the rectum and testicles for males).
- Uroflow test: This pain-free test displays how well the patient empties their bladder. If the results show a weak urine flow, or if the patient needs to stop and start as they urinate, they may have pelvic floor disorder. If the patient has issues urinating, the healthcare provider may order a uroflow test.
Treatment for Pelvic Floor Disorder
Having weak pelvic floor muscles can feel debilitating, but luckily, treatment is possible. That said, if you require pelvic floor physical therapy, you may need a couple of months of regular sessions.
Here are some of the most common and effective ways this condition is treated.
- Biofeedback: The most common treatment for this condition is biofeedback, a non-surgical treatment method that is performed by a trained physical therapist. This is a pain-free treatment, and it is typically more than 75 percent effective in treating individuals with weak pelvic floor muscles. The physical therapist can use biofeedback in a wide array of ways to retrain the weak muscles, such as utilizing sensors and video to analyze the muscles as you clench and relax them. Finally, the professional will give feedback and ways to improve the coordination of the muscles.
- Medications: Taking certain medications every day can keep the bowel movements regular and soft. Certain medications can be attained over-the-counter at a drugstore, such as stool softeners (Senna, MiraLAX®, or similar). Talk to your gastroenterologist or primary care doctor to find out which medications are best suitable for you.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: Biofeedback therapy and pelvic floor physical therapy typically go hand in hand. The expert will check which muscles in the pelvic floor, pelvis, and lower back are tight and help you with exercises to stretch the muscles, so you have better coordination.
- Relaxation techniques: The expert may also suggest trying different relaxation techniques like yoga, warm baths, meditation, acupuncture, or mild exercise.
Best Exercises to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
Performing pelvic floor exercises or “Kegels” can help you strengthen muscles around the penis, vagina, bottom, or bladder. Not only will stronger pelvic floor muscles help with pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction, but they also improve urinary incontinence and make sexual intercourse more enjoyable. In fact, everyone can benefit from performing these exercises.
Firstly, you will need to find the pelvic floor muscles. An easy way to do this is to feel them by stopping the urine flow when you are using the toilet.
To perform the strengthening exercise, sit in a comfortable position and squeeze the muscles up to 15 times. When doing this, keep breathing normally and refrain from tightening the stomach. When you feel more comfortable performing these exercises, try holding every squeeze for a couple of seconds.
You can gradually increase the number of squeezes each week. However, do not overdo them, and make sure to allow yourself to rest between the exercise sets.
You will need to practice regularly to notice the results. That said, even when you see the results, you should continue with the exercises and make them a part of your routine.
How to Prevent Weakness in Pelvic Floor Muscles?
The leading cause of this condition is strain, either from a specific event or over time. Hence, in some cases, there is nothing the patient can do.
However, in some cases, patients can prevent or reduce the chances of the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Here are some general guidelines to prevent disorders related to the pelvic floor:
- Be at a healthy weight: Being obese can put a strain on the pelvic floor muscles. Aim to get enough exercise and consume a nutrient-rich diet. If you need to lose weight, eat on a calorie deficit.
- Try exercises such as Kegels: As mentioned, pelvic floor exercises such as Kegels are excellent at strengthening the muscles. Not only do these exercises help with future incontinence, but they also improve your sex life. Consider pelvic floor physical therapy.
- Learn to lift heavy objects properly: When lifting heavy objects, use your legs, and avoid the abdomen muscles or the back.
- Decrease constipation: Consume a fiber-rich diet and drink plenty of water to keep your stool soft and regular.
FAQ
Do I need surgery for weak pelvic floor muscles?
Surgery for treating dysfunction related to the pelvic floor does not exist. Since this is a condition that affects the muscles, your doctor will recommend other non-surgical and pain-free treatment options such as biofeedback or relaxation techniques. In rare cases (when the previous treatments are not effective), the healthcare provider can refer you to a pain injection specialist. These experts will help alleviate pain and muscle tension by using a tiny needle to inject the area with relaxing or numbing medication (also referred to as trigger point injection).
Does this condition go away without treatment?
Unfortunately, no. If you experience any symptoms of this condition, avoiding a healthcare professional and not seeking out treatment will only worsen it. In many cases, the symptoms remain the same and become worse over time. Instead of experiencing discomfort and pain, a healthcare provider can help you improve your life.
Is there a way to cure this condition?
The good news is that most conditions linked to the pelvic floor are easily treatable. Your healthcare provider may suggest medications, physical therapy, and biofeedback. That said, contacting your healthcare provider as soon as you experience symptoms of this disorder is crucial for recovery. Seeking out early treatment can help boost your life quality and alleviate the uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Of course, treatment will take time, and you may notice results after a few months.
Who treats this condition?
Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, you may need the help of a physical therapist, a gastroenterologist, a pelvic floor surgeon, a gynecologist, a pelvic pain anesthesiologist, or a regular provider. Always make sure to schedule a treatment at a good and reputable clinic.
Give Us a Call Today
Many people struggle with having weak pelvic floor muscles. Unfortunately, the symptoms can be very uncomfortable, painful, and embarrassing. You do not need to feel ashamed. If you are experiencing any of the debilitating symptoms related to this condition, book an appointment with us today. Our team of experts will help you regain your zest for life.