Often referred to as PFDs, pelvic floor disorders can cause significant discomfort and disruption to day to day life. In this article, we discuss the key symptoms and signs of PFDs, some common causes, and what to do if you think you have a pelvic floor disorder.
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What are pelvic floor disorders?
Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) refer to any conditions that affect the function of the organs and muscles found in the pelvis. Despite the fact that some of the key symptoms can be exacerbated by female conditions such as pregnancy, pelvic floor disorders can affect both women’s and men’s pelvic health.
The importance of early symptom recognition
Due to the varying range of symptoms of PFDs, they can often be dismissed or misdiagnosed. However, seeking diagnosis and treatment can avoid worsening symptoms and improve the quality of your day to day life immeasurably, particularly if you feel embarrassed or unsure about talking it through with someone.
Early intervention to mitigate symptoms can help avoid the condition from getting worse. This is particularly significant due to the organs and muscles that the pelvis supports; without treatment, some conditions can become more severe and harder to manage, such as chronic incontinence or a pelvic organ prolapse.
If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a PFD, it’s recommended that you seek a professional diagnosis. Get in touch with a GP or book a consultation with our specialist gynaecology or urology team to find out more about the options available to you, which may differ depending on your gender, and age.
Key symptoms of pelvic floor disorders
The main function of the pelvic floor is to support the bladder, bowel and uterus. PFDs can affect any of these organs, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The most common and key symptoms that are caused by a pelvic floor disorder include the following:
Urinary incontinence
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence is an increase in pressure within your bladder that causes you to leak urine, when you don’t mean to. Stress incontinence causes the urethral sphincter to weaken. The urethral sphincter is a key pelvic muscle that controls the opening of the urethra, which is the tube from which we pass urine. If this muscle is weakened, urine can leak out unexpectedly.
Urge incontinence
Urge incontinence is when the muscles in the walls of your bladder don’t function properly. When these muscles, called the detrusor muscles, start to dysfunction, they contract too often, which causes an instant and urgent sensation of needing the toilet.
Frequent urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are caused when the urinary tract becomes inflamed or aggravated. This can irritate your bladder, causing pain when you wee, and causing your pelvic muscles to contract and squeeze involuntarily.
You can read more about urinary incontinence symptoms and urology treatment options in our guide: What is an overactive bladder?
Difficulty emptying the bladder properly
Occasionally, PFDs and urinary incontinence symptoms can be as simple as feeling like you can’t empty your bladder completely when you go to the toilet. This is a sensation that is caused by bladder dysfunction, and may display differently to incontinence issues or UTIs.
You can read more about bladder dysfunction and key signs and symptoms in our guide to Bladder Dysfunction Symptoms.
Bowel incontinence
The bowel is controlled and supported by the pelvic floor muscles, and if their function is reduced, it can lead to bowel incontinence issues.
Leaking stool
Pelvic floor disorders can affect the digestive system, which can lead to leaking stool. This can range from minor leakage to full bowel movements. Leaking stool can be brought on by physical activity, coughing, or with no warning at all.
Constipation, straining or discomfort on the toilet
If you have difficulty passing stool when you are on the toilet, or find that you can only pass hard or lumpy stool in pain or discomfort, this can be due to pelvic floor dysfunction. It is important to seek professional intervention if this occurs frequently, as constant straining can further weaken the pelvic floor and intensity symptoms over time.
Sensation of reduced bowel function on the toilet
Similar to the sensation of not being able to empty your bladder, PFDs can cause you to feel that you can’t empty your bowel properly. This is when you feel like you still need to pass stool, even after bowel movement. If you frequently go to the toilet multiple times to pass bowel movement, it could be a symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction.
If you think you are experiencing bowel incontinence and want to seek a formal diagnosis, you can speak with one of our experienced gastroenterologists who can discuss your symptoms and help you find a suitable treatment plan.
Pelvic floor prolapse symptoms (POP)
A pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when your pelvic muscles cannot support or control your key pelvic organs (your uterus, bladder and rectum). Your pelvic organs drop from their normal position and press on the vaginal or rectal walls; it is a condition that can cause significant discomfort and distress, but there are recognised treatments available to help people manage the condition.
Increased heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area
Due to the shift in organs and weakened muscles and connective tissues, more pressure is put on the pelvic area. This can feel like a fullness, weight, or dragging sensation in the lower abdomen. Lifting, physical activity or standing up for a long time can heighten symptoms, which is often described as the sensation that something is ‘falling out’.
A visible bulge in the vagina or rectum
Reduced functionality can cause the weakened pelvic muscles to stretch and loosen, which can lead to a noticeable bump or bulging tissue at your vaginal or anal opening. This is sometimes more noticeable when you stand or strain on the toilet.
Discomfort during intercourse
Occasionally, pelvic floor disorders can cause pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. PFDs can cause the sensation of pressure, obstruction or reduced vaginal tightness, which can affect your confidence and cause intimacy issues. For postmenopausal women, this can be combined with vaginal dryness and irritation. If you are suddenly experiencing these symptoms, then a pelvic floor disorder could be the cause.
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Ongoing pain and discomfort
Pelvic floor disorders can often cause ongoing pain and discomfort in your pelvic region, affecting your mobility, confidence and wellbeing in day to day life. Chronic pelvic pain has a variety of causes, varying from muscle tension, nerve irritation, or organ misalignment due to weakened pelvic support. Chronic pain should never be ignored; there are several treatment options available to help mitigate and manage the pain. Speak to your GP or a specialist gynaecologist with Modality LLP to understand the options available to you.
Chronic pelvic pain
Chronic pelvic pain is described as a lingering, dull or sharp pain in the pelvic region that has been affecting you, or has been present, for more than six months. Often, pelvic pain is exacerbated from sedentary behaviour such as sitting or standing for a long time. Physical activity can also aggravate symptoms.
Lower back pain (linked to weak pelvic muscles)
Although lower back pain is a very common ailment experienced by a lot of people, pelvic floor disorder should not be ruled out as the cause. This is caused by a few reasons; weak pelvic floor muscles, which can cause misalignment and strain on the lower spine, and reduced pelvic stability, which can impact the lower back, causing ongoing aches and discomfort. It is common to experience discomfort in the hip and groin as well as the lower back.
Pain during sexual activity
Another chronic symptom of PFDs is the feeling of continued discomfort, pressure or sharp pains during intercourse. This condition is called dyspareunia, and can develop from muscle tightness, surgery trauma, or nerve sensitivity.
Common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth can affect your pelvic floor function, particularly if your pelvic muscles have sustained trauma from a difficult birth. This can significantly weaken the pelvic floor muscles, reducing their functionality and increasing the chances of developing a PFD.
Obesity
If you are overweight or obese, it can add significant strain and pressure to the bladder, uterus and bowel, meaning your pelvic floor has to work harder and can reduce in function over time.
Ageing
The weakening of muscles is a natural part of ageing, and your pelvic floor muscles are no different. It is common to experience urinary incontinence or reduced bowel function as we age, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek a formal diagnosis if your symptoms are causing you distress and discomfort.
Surgery
Previous surgery or traumatic injury to the pelvic region can increase your chances of developing a pelvic floor disorder. Sustaining significant injury to your pelvis from a fall or accident, for example, can lead to muscle trauma. Surgery to remove reproductive organs such as a hysterectomy can also lead to increased symptoms.
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms in this article, it’s recommended that you speak to a medical professional. Modality LLP proudly partners with specialists across the UK; if you’d like to find out more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
