Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common but often overlooked condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This disorder can cause a range of frustrating and even embarrassing symptoms such as incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. If you or someone you know might be suffering from this condition, it’s essential to know the various treatment options available. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into what can be done for pelvic floor dysfunction and how to find relief from its debilitating symptoms. Remember to share this article and check out other guides on Pelvic Floor Therapy to learn more about managing and improving your pelvic health.
What Can Be Done For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Table of Contents
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
Diagnosis and Assessing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Transform Your Pelvic Floor in Just 4 Weeks: The Pelvic Floor Bible
Transform Your Pelvic Floor in Just 4 Weeks: The Pelvic Floor Bible
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that span the base of the pelvis in both men and women. This “hammock” of muscles supports vital organs such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum. When functioning properly, the pelvic floor helps maintain proper posture, bladder and bowel control, and sexual functions. However, due to factors like aging, childbirth, surgery, and poor posture, the pelvic floor muscles can become weak, tight, or imbalanced, leading to dysfunction.
Diagnosis and Assessing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is crucial before addressing pelvic floor dysfunction. Your doctor or a specialized pelvic health physiotherapist will perform a physical exam and gather your medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. This assessment may involve testing the strength and tone of your pelvic floor muscles, as well as determining if any secondary conditions are contributing to your symptoms.
pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
Kegels are a simple yet effective way to strengthen weakened pelvic floor muscles. Perform these exercises by contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles for 5-10 seconds at a time, repeating this for 10-15 repetitions, three times a day.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique used to help you become more aware of your pelvic floor muscles, allowing you to control them better. This treatment uses sensors placed inside or outside the body to monitor muscle contractions and provide you with real-time feedback via a digital monitor.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves the use of hands-on techniques to improve the mobility and function of the pelvic floor muscles. This may include trigger point release, myofascial release, and soft tissue mobilization by a qualified pelvic health physiotherapist.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation devices apply a mild electrical current to the pelvic floor muscles to help improve muscle strength and bladder/bowel control. These devices are typically used alongside other treatments, like manual therapy and exercise.
Lifestyle Changes
Implementing certain lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and managing your stress, can also positively impact your pelvic floor health.
Surgery
In severe cases where conservative treatment options have not been effective, surgery might be considered. Procedures can range from minimally invasive interventions to correct prolapse, to more extensive procedures to address ongoing incontinence or other severe symptoms.
Example
A 35-year-old woman named Sarah sought help for her pelvic floor dysfunction after experiencing pain during intercourse and occasional incontinence following childbirth. By working with a pelvic health physiotherapist, she learned how to effectively perform kegel exercises to strengthen her pelvic floor muscles and received manual therapy treatments to release tightness and pain. Over time, Sarah saw significant improvements in both her symptoms and overall quality of life.
Dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction can feel overwhelming and isolating, but know that there are various effective treatment options to regain control over your pelvic health. From exercises and manual therapy to lifestyle changes and medical interventions, finding the right approach is key to managing your symptoms. Don’t hesitate to share your pelvic health journey with others and explore the wealth of resources available through blogs like Pelvic Floor Therapy. Together, we can empower one another to prioritize our pelvic health and improve our overall wellbeing.
