Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition that isn’t discussed all that often despite the fact that it can impact a great many people at all stages of life. Though it is something that tends to impact people later in life, that doesn’t mean that it never occurs in younger people. A lot of the time people tend not to want to pay attention to something like this because of embarrassment but the truth is that it’s no different from any other common medical issue.

With that in mind, here are just some of the types of pelvic floor dysfunction.

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Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is perhaps the most common type of pelvic floor dysfunction. Simply put, urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control which causes urine leakage. It is something experienced by millions of women all over the world. It can interfere with a person’s ability to function as well as cause a great deal of embarrassment for them. Many people end up avoiding a lot of social and active situations because physical activity can potentially cause leaks or accidents.

Fecal incontinence

Also known as bowel or anal incontinence, fecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowels and is the second most common type of pelvic floor dysfunction. Those who suffer from fecal incontinence often feel as though they have the urge to have a bowel movement and are unable to hold it until they reach a toilet. Sufferers may also leak stool from their rectum as well. Fecal incontinence impacts millions of men and women all over the world. It becomes more common with age but is by no means a mandatory part of the aging process.

Pelvic organ prolapse

While not the most common form of pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse is still something experienced by many women. Because of the fact that the uterus, bladder, and rectum are all located close to the vaginal canal, it is possible for them to herniate into the vaginal canal when the supportive tissues in the pelvic region weaken. This is what is known as a prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse can lead to difficulties when using the toilet as well as urinary incontinence. Particularly large prolapses can even be seen hanging outside the vagina.

Painful Intercourse

Another common result of pelvic floor dysfunction is the presence of pain during intercourse or any kind of vaginal penetration. This occurs because the pelvic floor muscles can become tight to the point that it becomes painful. This causes an ache in the pelvis and pain with any kind of insertion. This can become a serious issue for many women and even lead to sexual dysfunction.

What makes pelvic floor dysfunction worse?

If you suffer from any form of pelvic floor dysfunction then one of the first courses of action that you will want to take is to avoid anything that could potentially make it worse or increase any kind of pelvic floor dysfunction pain.

Is walking good for pelvic floor dysfunction?

As with many other body parts, the pelvic floor is a muscle which means that a degree of exercise can make it stronger. Of course, the last thing you want to do is to put any kind of strain on your pelvic floor if you’re suffering from any kind of pelvic floor dysfunction. This means that gentle exercise like walking can be incredibly positive. You just need to be sure that you’re not overdoing.

What triggers pelvic floor dysfunction?

There are a lot of different things that could potentially cause pelvic floor dysfunction. One of the most common reasons is simply aging though this often interacts with other factors. Childbirth is one of the main causes of pelvic floor disorders. The risk of pelvic floor dysfunction tends to increase after giving birth. Any kind of pelvic surgery or radiation treatment can also be a cause since these treatments can potentially damage nerves on the pelvic floor. Obesity is also a factor that increases the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. There are even genetic factors involved in your level of risk.

Who do you see for pelvic floor dysfunction?

There is no single professional to see who to treat pelvic floor dysfunction. The truth is that there are a variety of experts who can treat these problems and, often, a combination of these offers the best possible outcome. There are courses of medication that you can go on such as muscle relaxants and there is also pelvic floor dysfunction physical therapy available to help you learn to relax and coordinate the movement of your pelvic floor muscles.

What does pelvic floor pain feel like?

Obviously, everyone’s experience with pelvic floor pain is going to be different depending on the type of dysfunction they’re suffering from and the cause. However, there are some common types of pain that can identify pelvic floor dysfunction like cramping, spasms, or heaviness in the lower back or stomach.

What do pelvic floor spasms feel like?

Pelvic floor spasms are generally felt as bands of tight muscle with knots of muscle at the trigger points that are often painful on palpitation and can recreate your symptoms.

Why do I have pelvic floor pain?

There are many different causes of pelvic floor pain. Alongside the previously mentioned types of pelvic floor dysfunction, the most common causes are endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, or an infection of the womb, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.

Can stress and anxiety cause pelvic pain?

Stress and anxiety are often linked to pelvic pain. Clenching of the buttocks during periods of stress is often linked with a worsening of pelvic pain. In truth, it’s something of a cycle. Pelvic pain can be a source of a lot of stress and anxiety for many people which in turn, worsens their pelvic pain.

How long does it take for pelvic floor therapy to work?

Most people notice a degree of improvement from pelvic floor therapy after a period of four to six weeks. However, it can take as long as three months to see any kind of significant change.