Pelvic Floor Therapy Specialist

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a medical condition in which you’re unable to control the muscles in your pelvic area. Instead of relaxing and contracting these muscles on command, they only contract, which may affect your ability to have a bowel movement or cause you to lose control of your bladder.

Due to the stretching of the muscles, childbearing may have caused your pelvic floor dysfunction. Carrying excess weight or heavy lifting can also affect your pelvic muscles and lead to the condition.

Injury or trauma to the pelvic region, which includes both surgery and radiation, are also risk factors for the development of pelvic floor dysfunction.

What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include:

• Feeling like you need to have several bowel movements over a short period
• Constipation
• Incomplete bowel movement
• Urinary incontinence or urgency
• Feeling like you can’t empty your bladder
• Pelvic, back, or rectal pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Muscle spasms

How do I know if have pelvic floor dysfunction?

If you’re experiencing symptoms that may indicate you have pelvic floor dysfunction, the team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialist can help determine the cause of your symptoms after an exam and specialized testing.

During the exam, it’s important to share your symptoms, so the team gets a complete picture of what’s going on. The female practitioner may be able to feel muscle spasms during the physical examination.

If needed, the team may conduct surface electrode testing, which tests your muscle control. The team may also recommend a defecography, which is a special X-ray that records muscle movement during a bowel movement.

How is pelvic floor dysfunction treated?

The team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may use a variety of treatments to help you manage your pelvic floor dysfunction, including:

• Biofeedback with a physical therapist
• Medication
• Relaxation techniques and behavior changes

During biofeedback, the physical therapist uses individual sensors and a video monitor to teach you how to regain control of your pelvic muscles to reduce symptoms. Biofeedback is one of the most effective treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction.

If you have rectal prolapse, which is the term for rectal tissue that falls out of the anus or the vagina, then your women’s health specialist may recommend surgery.

For management of pelvic floor dysfunction, call the office, or schedule an appointment with the online booking agent.