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