Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Introduction
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition not understood well by many. The disease affects the muscles of the pelvic floor. It can cause a lot of discomfort to the person suffering from it. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available to rectify or manage the condition.
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The pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles and ligaments in the pelvis that supports the organs in the pelvis. These organs include the bladder, rectum, and prostate or uterus. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where you cannot control the muscles of the pelvic floor. The inability to contract or coordinate the muscles can lead to a host of issues surrounding the organs supported by the pelvic floor.
You might experience difficulty coordinating or controlling the pelvic floor muscles during urination or a bowel movement. Women who have this condition might also experience pain during sexual intercourse. Men might find that they have difficulty maintaining an erection, also known as erectile dysfunction.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of Pelvic floor dysfunction is still unknown. However, we do know of certain conditions that can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. These include:
- Any traumatic injury to the pelvic region
- Pregnancy in women can make the pelvic floor difficult to regulate
- Overusing the pelvic floor, especially by bearing down too hard every time you have a bowel movement
- Overweight persons might have difficulty controlling their pelvic muscles
- Side effects of surgery of the pelvic area
- ● Older people may experience this condition as a result of ageing
- The disorder can also be genetic
Pelvic floor dysfunction can result in anomalies in the functioning of the organs supported by the pelvic floor. This causes symptoms that include the following:
- Constipation
- Incontinence
- Frequent need to use the bathroom
- Painful urination
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic, genital, or rectal pain
- A feeling of pressure in the pelvic region
- Painful intercourse in the case of women
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Muscle spasms in the pelvic region
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, seeking medical assistance is recommended. An early diagnosis can increase your chances of a full recovery.
Your doctor will need your full medical history along with your family’s medical history to diagnose Pelvic floor dysfunction. He will also conduct a physical exam to check for weakness of the muscles and any spasms in the region.
Another test is to check if you can contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles. In this case, your doctor will place electrodes on the perineum, which will measure your ability to control the pelvic floor. A perineometer might be used to identify the extent of the dysfunction. The probe will be inserted into the rectum or vagina for this test.
It is crucial that you let the doctors diagnose your condition. In rare cases, the symptoms could be indicative of more serious issues. These have to be ruled out before a diagnosis of Pelvic floor dysfunction is made.
The good news is that Pelvic floor dysfunction can be treated easily in most cases. The condition does not require surgery. The various treatment options come with different recovery timelines.
The most common treatment for Pelvic floor dysfunction is physical therapy. It works well in 75% of all patients with this condition. Your physical therapist will use a system of biofeedback to essentially retrain your ability to control your pelvic floor.
You will also be prescribed stool softeners, which will help reduce the strain on your pelvic floor muscles. These could be OTC or prescription medications, depending on the severity of your condition.
You can also adopt various relaxation therapies such as warm baths, yoga, and meditation. These techniques are recommended to help loosen and relax your pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is easy to treat in most cases. Following the advice of your doctor to the letter depends on you. You will be required to practise the exercises given to you by the physical therapist even at home. Along with these exercises, you must also focus on relaxing and managing stress to ensure a full recovery.
Pelvic floor dysfunction does not need any surgical intervention. In rare cases, the muscles that are too tightly contracted can be given localised pain or relaxing medication. Since there is no possibility of surgery, you do not face any surgical risks.
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FAQ's
The treatment for the condition can worsen if you do not take your prescribed medications or follow physical therapy exercises. The condition can take up to a few months to rectify, and you must remember to be patient. Any activities that can increase the tension of the pelvic floor are not recommended. This can include weight lifting or movements like jumping.
Unfortunately, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction will only worsen with time if left untreated. You must seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of the condition and then follow the doctor’s advice on treating the same.
You can visit a general physician if it is your first time getting the symptoms examined. You might be referred to a gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, or urologist, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Men and women will experience different symptoms due to the inherent difference in physiology. Men might experience erectile Dysfunction, male urinary Dysfunction, and prostatitis. Women, on the other hand, can have abnormal reproductive health due to the condition.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is commonly caused by pregnancy, where the pelvic floor is strained, and the chances of developing the condition increase if your labour was long or strained.