Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is an general term used to describe several different bowel, bladder, and sexual disorders, and chronic pelvic pain syndromes, that affect or are caused by the pelvic floor muscles lack of ability to contract, relax, and/or bulge effectively. These conditions may or may not have pain linked with them.
WHAT CAUSES PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION?
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction can be caused by direct accident or fall, cumulative damage (such as prolonged sitting), Surgery, or even sexual abuse. Urogynaecology surgeries, emotional or physical abuse, improper body mechanics, or any stressor that triggers the pelvic floor muscles to respond can also create pelvic floor dysfunction. Stress, bacteria, and/or inflammation can cause the pelvic floor muscles to prompt a protective reaction in which the muscles tighten up to protect against the stressor. Unfortunately, at times the pelvic floor muscles stay in a protective or hypertonic state and this can cause pain. Hence, it is possible to initially be diagnosed with a bacterial infection and end up with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PFD ASSOCIATED WITH PAIN INCLUDE:
- Pelvic and/or Lower Abdominal Pain
- Pain During or After Intercourse or Orgasm (Dyspareunia)
- Genital/Groin/Perineal pain
- Pain or relief during or after Bowel Movement
- Pain during or after Urination (Dysuria)
- Bladder Pain (Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome)
- Pain may increase with stress, activity, sitting; may be intermittent or constant
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PFD WITHOUT A PAIN ASSOCIATION INCLUDE:
- Reduced urinary stream and/or hesitancy of urination
- Falling out feeling/downward pressure (usually worse at end day)/Pelvic Prolapse
- Feeling of UTI type symptoms despite diagnostic tests being negative
- Urge or Urinary Frequency (Overactive Bladder/ OAB)
- Feeling of Incomplete Bowel or Bladder Emptying
- Urinary Incontinence (Stress, Urge, Mixed, Overflow, Coital, Faecal)
- These S&S may be present due to Underactive or Overactive pelvic floor muscles or a Combination of both.
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Occurs when the muscles and ligaments of your pelvic floor are weakened. This is mainly a hernia of the vaginal walls allowing for the bowel, bladder, and/or uterus to protrude into the vagina. Having a prolapse can be distressing and can really affect your quality of life but do not despair. Most people will complain of pressure rather than pain, along with other symptoms including the following:
- “Falling out feeling”/downward pressure
- Pain with intercourse
- Difficulty emptying bladder/urination (resulting in double-voiding or frequent urination)
- Difficulty emptying bowel/defecation)
- Incontinence may be present but is not certainly a sign of prolapse