Are your pelvic floor muscles not working properly? (Pelvic Floor Dysfunction) - Let's talk about this!

Do you feel like you need to go to the bathroom all the time? Or do you feel like your stomach hasn't completely emptied after going to the bathroom? Maybe you have persistent back pain that you can't figure out why? These are things that are a little difficult to talk about. But they can be symptoms of a treatable condition that many people have. Today we're going to talk about this condition that many people don't know about, but affects many people, called 'Pelvic Floor Dysfunction'.

Simply put, what is pelvic floor dysfunction?

Think of your pelvis as a house. Inside this house are important organs like your bladder, uterus (in women), prostate (in men), and rectum. The foundation of this house is the pelvic floor muscles . These muscles help to keep all of those organs in place.

Normally, when you need to go to the bathroom, these muscles tighten up and then relax, helping you do the job without any difficulty. Just like when we lift a heavy box, we tighten the muscles in our arms and then relax them when we're done.

However, if you have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, the opposite happens. Instead of relaxing these muscles when you need to go to the bathroom, your body tightens them even more. It's like pushing a door open. Because these muscles are constantly tight, you may experience the following:

• Difficulty releasing stool.
• Feeling like you haven't completely emptied your bowels after defecating.
• Leakage of urine or stool without you even realizing it.

If you are a woman, you may experience pain during sex. If you are a man, you may experience difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).

What are the symptoms that make you suspect that you also have this condition?

If you have one or more of the symptoms below, it could be a problem with your pelvic floor muscles. Never be shy about talking to a doctor about these things.

Why does this situation occur?

The exact cause of this has not yet been found. However, there are several factors that are thought to contribute to this condition.

• Pelvic injuries: Injuries to the pelvis, such as a car accident or a fall from a height.
• Muscle straining: Straining frequently and for long periods of time while going to the bathroom.
• Previous surgeries: Pelvic surgeries such as hysterectomy or prostatectomy.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: This can damage the pelvic floor muscles, especially if childbirth was difficult.
• Aging: As we age, our body's muscles naturally weaken.
• Stress and Anxiety: Excessive stress can also cause the muscles in the body, especially the pelvic muscles, to tighten.

Other diseases that may be associated with this condition

Sometimes, the symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction are very similar to the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Interstitial Cystitis

This is a condition that causes pain in the bladder and pelvic area. This pain can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten. This means that these two conditions may be related.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

This is a collection of symptoms that affect the digestive system. Symptoms such as constipation and bloating can be seen in both conditions.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

This is when the muscles that hold the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, rectum) in place weaken, causing them to drop through the vagina. Muscle weakness is the primary cause of this.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Men have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse. Sometimes this can be due to tightness or pain in the pelvic muscles. However, this is a complex condition and can be caused by other factors.

Prostatitis

An infection or swelling of the prostate gland. This also shows symptoms that are very similar to those of `Pelvic Floor Dysfunction`.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, they will first ask about your symptoms and your medical history. For example,

• Do you have to strain to defecate?
• Does the bladder empty completely after urinating?
• How many times do you go to the toilet a day?

If you are a woman, you may be asked things like whether you have had children before and whether you experience pain during sex.

Then, a physical exam will be performed. During this, the doctor will manually check how well you can control your pelvic floor muscles. This can help detect any knots, tightness, or weakness in the muscles.

Special tests that can be done

Sometimes, tests like this can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

• Anorectal Manometry: This measures how well the muscles around the anus are working.
• Defecating Proctogram: This is like an X-ray. It shows how the bowel movement occurs and how the organs are working.
• Urodynamics: This test is done if you have difficulty urinating. It measures things like your ability to empty your bladder and the speed of your urine stream.

What are the treatments for this?

Surgery is usually not required to treat this condition. In most cases, the treatments below can provide good results.

How can you take care of yourself?

The most important thing when living with this condition is to not give up . It can take several months for physical therapy and medication to show results. However, most people who follow the treatment plan exactly will recover well over time.

In the meantime, you can do these things:

• Don't skip medications and treatments: Take the medications your doctor prescribes on time. Don't skip physical therapy sessions. Do the exercises you are instructed to do at home exactly.
• Avoid activities that put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles: Exercises like weight lifting and jumping can make your pelvic floor muscles tighter. Ask your doctor or physical therapist what activities are appropriate and inappropriate for you.
• Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet: Drink more than 8 glasses of water a day to prevent constipation. Some high-fiber foods can increase symptoms such as bloating. If this happens, stay away from such foods for a while. Consult your doctor for nutritional advice that will not cause you discomfort.

Although Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a common condition, many people are embarrassed to talk about their difficulties with bowel and bladder function. But remember, talking to your doctor about it is the first and most important step on your journey to recovery. The more open and honest you are with your doctor, the more successful your treatment will be.

Pelvic Floor Muscles, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Constipation, Urinary Incontinence, Back Pain, Physical Therapy, Pelvic Pain