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Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
- Pelvic Floor
- A group of muscles in the pelvic region, supporting the organs in the pelvis
- 1 in 4 women are affected by a condition associated with PFD
- 2 Types
- Hypotonic PFD: Pelvic floor muscles that are too weak and do not provide enough support for the bowels, bladder and/or uterus
- Associated Conditions: Incontinence, Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Hypertonic PFD: Pelvic floor muscles that are too tense and unable to relax
- Associated Conditions: Dyspareunia (painful sex), Vulvodynia, Pudendal Neuralgia, Chronic Prostatitis/CPPS
- Hypotonic PFD: Pelvic floor muscles that are too weak and do not provide enough support for the bowels, bladder and/or uterus
- Pelvic floor muscles are either too weak (hypotonic) or too tight (hypertonic) as a result of
- Childbirth
- Old age
- Obesity
- Straining
- Traumatic injury to the pelvic region and/or tailbone
- Nerve damage
- Pelvic surgery
- Hypotonic PFD
- Urinary Incontinence
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Hypertonic PFD
- Constipation/straining pain with bowel movements
- Painful sex (also known as dyspareunia)
- Urgency/painful urination
- Urinary frequency
- Slow flow of urine
- Pain/pressure in the pelvic region, genitals or rectum
- Pelvic muscle spasms
- Unexplained lower back pain
- Medical history: To address past and current health issues
- Physical exam: Pelvic muscle floor control is checked for weakness, spasms or knots
- Pelvic Muscle Control Test: Surface electrodes (self-adhesive pads) are placed on the perineum (the area between the vagina and rectum in women and between the testicles and rectum in men) or sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of your spine)
- Uroflow Test: To determine if the flow of urine is weak
- Anorectal Manometry: Measures how well the rectum and anal sphincter are working by testing the pressures, muscle strength and coordination
- Defecating Proctogram: Special video x-ray to record muscle movement as you attempt to push the thick liquid you’re given through an enema out of the rectum
- Pelvic Physiotherapy: Internal and external assessment treated with exercise and programs that help manage pain and discomfort in the pelvic region
- Biofeedback
- With the help of a pelvic physiotherapist, you learn how to relax/contract your pelvic muscles through video and special sensors
- Muscle activity is observed and feedback is provided to help improve your coordination
- Provides improvement for more than 75% of those with PFD
- Relaxation Techniques: Yoga, Meditation, Warm baths
- Oral Medication: Muscle relaxants to prevent your muscles from contracting
- Botox Injections: To relax the pelvic floor muscles
- Surgery: If your PFD is the result of a rectal prolapse/rectocele
