5 Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect the bowels, bladder, and reproductive organs. Some of the diagnoses and pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms include:

1. Bladder and urinary symptoms could be your first clue that something is wrong
Urinary incontinence, including bladder leakage, as well as stress urinary incontinence — leakage that occurs when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising — can be symptoms of a weak pelvic floor. Urinary frequency, urgency, and feeling the pressure of a UTI without infection are additional symptoms of potential pelvic floor dysfunction.

"Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur in folks that have overactive or tight pelvic floor muscles if they have underactive pelvic floor muscles or a combination of the two," Heather Jeffcoat, DPT Femina Physical Therapy in Los Angeles, California, explained to Mom.com. "It can also be affected by scar tissue from injuries or surgical procedures."

2. Bowel incontinence can be a pelvic floor dysfunction symptom
If you find yourself straining to have a bowel movement or leak stool or experience incontinence, this could indicate a pelvic floor issue.

3. Feeling as though you need to force a bowel movement can indicate a pelvic floor disorder
According to research published by the World Gastroenterology Association, up to half of people with chronic constipation also have pelvic floor dysfunction.

4. PFD can cause sexual and reproductive organ symptoms like a painful orgasm, painful intercourse, and post-coital pain
"I was diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids," Megan VanDuyn told Mom.com. "Due to these issues, I experienced a lot of pain in my pelvic floor, painful intercourse, muscle spasms, and all-around feeling miserable from it all."

"Pelvic pain may also present as vulvar itching or burning in the absence of any infection," explained Jeffcoat. "There may also be painful penetrative intercourse with initial insertion or with deeper thrusting. There may be pain with sitting in the perineal region. Patients that have chronic pelvic pain also tend to have other overlapping pain conditions such as hip or low back pain and TMJ dysfunction."

5. General symptoms of the pelvic area could be caused by pelvic floor dysfunction
If you're experiencing chronic pelvic pain, pain from endometriosis, prolapse, or nerve pain, these symptoms might be indicative of PFD. Kelly Ann Dooley is a physical therapy assistant and mom to a 3-year-old who believes that the pelvic floor is the most overlooked area for women, especially postpartum.

"I experienced a lot of pelvic floor dysfunction and pain postpartum," Dooley told Mom.com. "Most of my symptoms were: pressure in the pelvis, pain with intercourse, trouble holding my bladder, or losing control of my bladder."

"The ideal provider team for pelvic floor dysfunction is a urogynecologist, OB-GYN or urologist, depending on the specific presentation, a pelvic health physical therapist, and a sexual medicine specialist," advised Jeffcoat.

"Identifying the primary driving force of their dysfunction is essential and unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter protocol for pelvic floor dysfunction," she added.

Pelvic floor dysfunction exercises can significantly reduce PFD symptoms
"My saving grace has been going to pelvic physical therapy for three years. It can make such a difference and for me personally, my physical therapist was able to work on my pelvic floor muscles to help them relax which was one of my biggest issues," VanDuyn said. "I noticed such a big overall difference when I consistently went to physical therapy and followed the homework she gave me."

Jeffcoat further explained that with most types of PFD, pelvic health physical therapy should be incorporated early on. This will help address any contributing musculoskeletal, fascial, or scar tissue impairments that could be contributing to the pelvic floor disorder. For additional information on pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms, visit the APTA Pelvic Health website and locate a pelvic health physical therapist near you.