Symptoms and Causes of Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor dysfunction often causes pain and discomfort and can drastically reduce your quality of life. For many women, pelvic floor dysfunction may seem like a natural part of life. As the muscles in your pelvis begin to weaken as you age, they aren’t able to provide the support necessary. Additionally, obesity can also cause pelvic floor conditions, as the muscles in your pelvic area can no longer support the additional weight. In other cases, pelvic floor dysfunction can be caused by any of the following:

Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

• Traumatic Injury to the Pelvic Area
• Complications During Child Birth
• Age
• Obesity

Pelvic floor dysfunction can be characterized by a variety of symptoms. If you begin to experience any of the following problems, contact our office today and schedule an appointment for several routine tests to determine whether or not you have a pelvic floor condition

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

• Urinary or fecal incontinence
• Constipation or the inability to urinate
• Painful urination
• Pain in your lower back that cannot be explained
• Ongoing pain in your pelvic region, genitals or rectum
• Pain during intercourse

Diagnosing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

A regular physical exam is the first step in evaluating your ability to control your pelvic floor muscles. The doctor can check externally for any muscle spasms, knots or weakness. Additional tests can include x-rays, electro-stimulation, or uroflow tests.