Pelvic floor dysfunction looks like…
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause a myriad of unpopular problems like leaking urine, having to pee all the time, straining to go to the bathroom, pain in the genitals, and erectile dysfunction. It is often annoying, distracting, and embarrassing. Pelvic floor dysfunction can be minimized and even resolved with pelvic floor physical therapy. Just like the rest of your muscles, the pelvic floor muscles must be able to fully contract, relax, and coordinate to be functional. Pelvic floor muscles can be too tight, too lax, or uncoordinated which may affect your urinary, bowel, or sexual function.
Tension Issues
Muscle tension and connective tissue restrictions may make you to have to pee all the time, or feel like you have to pee all the time even when you don’t. You may have strong urges to urinate or defecate that come out of nowhere. You may have pain in the pelvis or genitals when sitting, wearing tight clothes, or having sex. Orgasms can be absent or diminished. Erections may be hard to achieve or maintain. Tight pelvic floor muscles can also contribute to abdominal, low back, and hip pain. You have tight pelvic floor muscles if you may say things like…
“I feel like I always have to pee. Sometimes I go and only drops come out.”
“Having sex is painful.”
“I have really strong urges to pee that come out of nowhere, sometimes I don’t make it to the toilet in time.”
Laxity Issues
Lax muscles can cause you to leak urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. They can fail to hold back gas when you want them to. If muscles are lax enough that the bladder, rectum, or uterus is unsupported you may have sensations of pressure or heaviness in the pelvis. Weak muscles can also contribute to difficulty achieving erections and orgasms. You may have lax pelvic floor muscles if you may say things like…
“I pee a little when I sneeze, laugh, or run. I can’t jump without leaking.”
“When I stand for a long time, I feel a lot of pressure in my pelvis.”
“I can’t always control my gas.”
Coordination Issues
Uncoordinated muscles can cause problems with emptying your bladder and bowels. When the muscles are unable to relax, it can be hard to start your stream, your stream may start and stop, or you may have unwanted urinary leakage. Uncoordinated muscles can also be a cause of constipation or incomplete bowel movements. You may have uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles if you may say things like…
“I don’t feel empty after I pee.”
“It’s hard for me to poop, it often comes out very thin or in pieces”
“I sit on the toilet forever while my pee starts and stops.”