The pelvic floor muscles are a hammock-like group of muscles in women that stretch from the pubic bone to the tailbone. These muscles support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum.
A healthy pelvic region is important for overall pelvic health. When these muscles are weak or damaged, it can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. In this article, we will discuss pelvic floor dysfunction, its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Keep reading!
What Causes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Many factors can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, including:
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Childbirth is one of the most common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction. The process of childbirth can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tear or stretch, leading to weakness and damage.
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Aging can also lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. As women age, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken and lose tone. This can be due to a decrease in estrogen levels, which can happen during menopause.
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Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, leading to dysfunction.
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Certain medical conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis, can also cause pelvic floor dysfunction.
Other factors that can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction include:
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Chronic coughing
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Constipation
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Obesity
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Prolonged sitting or standing
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
The symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, common symptoms include:
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Urinary incontinence
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Fecal incontinence
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Pelvic pain
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Pain during sex
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Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
If you notice one of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so they can rule out other potential causes.
How Can You Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor therapy is one of the most effective treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction. It helps strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles to support the pelvic organs better.
Pelvic floor therapy can be done at home or with the help of a physical therapist. However, we always recommend visiting an experienced physical therapy center, as they will be able to properly assess your pelvic floor and create a custom pelvic floor therapy plan.
Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles With Great Northern Physical Therapy
If you’re looking for pelvic floor physical therapy in the Great Northern area, look no further than Great Northern Physical Therapy. We offer pelvic floor therapy services designed to help women with pelvic floor dysfunction recover their pelvic health.
Our pelvic floor physical therapists are experienced in treating all types of pelvic floor dysfunction, from urinary incontinence to pelvic pain. We create custom pelvic floor therapy plans tailored to each patient.
To learn more about our pelvic floor physical therapy services or schedule an appointment, contact us today!