Question 1

What are the symptoms of Pelvic Floor muscle weakness or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most common symptoms (but not exhaustive) are listed here:
Lump or bulging in the vagina (named prolapse)
Leakages of faeces or wind from the back passage
Leakage of urine during exercise or heavy lifting
Leakage of urine when laughing, coughing or sneezing
Leakage of urine during sex/intercourse
Protrusion of vaginal walls, Uterus or both
Bladder Fullness
Pelvic Pain
Painful Urination
Painful Sex
Reduced Lubrication
Abdominal Pain
Erectile Dysfunction
Reduced Sexual Wellbeing and Desire
Emotion and Mental Health distress

Question 2

What are the causes of Pelvic Floor Weakness/Dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Some of the most common causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction for woman are:

Pregnancy & Childbirth - Can cause the muscles and tissues to stretch and weaken.

Physical Repeated Exertion –  Repeated heavy lifting is a risk factor due to the constant pressure & downward pressure on the pelvic floor muscles.

Natural Ageing - Aging is a risk factor. As woman age the muscles and tissues in the area may naturally weaken and can affect the function of the pelvic floor.

Menopause – As Estrogen levels decline the tissues of the pelvic floor can become thinner and weaker.

Certain medical conditions - Diabetes, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries can also contribute as the conditions can affect the nerves and muscles in the pelvic area.

Obesity - Excess weight can put pressure on the pelvic floor muscles which can weaken them over time.

Long term coughing and/or violent coughing - Can generate pelvic floor weakness to the muscles

Some of the most common causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction for men are:

High impact sports- People who play high impact sports are at increased risk of developing pelvic floor problems. This is because of the constant and excessive downward pressure that these sports place on their pelvic floor.

Chronic Constipation - Straining during bowl movements can put pressure on the pelvic floor and muscles causing them to weaken or to become damaged.

Natural Ageing - Aging is a risk factor. As men age the muscles and tissues in the area may naturally weaken and can affect the function of the pelvic floor.

Physical Repeated Exertion –  Repeated heavy lifting is a risk factor due to the constant pressure and downward pressure on the pelvic floor muscles.

Obesity - Excess weight can put pressure on the pelvic floor muscles which can weaken them over time.

Long term coughing and/or violent coughing - Can generate pelvic floor weakness to the muscles

Prostate problems - Conditions such as prostate cancer, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can all cause pelvic floor dysfunction in men. These conditions can affect the function of the prostate gland, which is located near the pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic surgery- Men who have undergone surgery in the pelvic area may be at risk for pelvic floor dysfunction. Surgery for prostate cancer, rectal cancer, or bladder cancer, for example, can all affect the function of the pelvic floor muscles.

Question 3

What are the pelvic floor muscles?

Accepted Answer

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a supportive sling at the bottom of the pelvis. It stretches from the pubic bone at the front of the body to the tailbone at the back of the body, and from one sitting bone to the other.

The pelvic floor plays an important role in supporting the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. It also plays a key role in controlling the function of the urinary and digestive systems. The muscles of the pelvic floor work together to help maintain continence and control the flow of urine and faeces.

The pelvic floor muscles are also involved in sexual function, helping to support the clitoris, urethra, and vaginal opening in women, and the penis and anus in men. During sexual arousal, the muscles of the pelvic floor contract and relax rhythmically, contributing to the pleasurable sensations of orgasm.

Below is a picture of the Pelvic Floor (thick red line) for both Men (left picture) and Woman (right picture). The yellow lemon shape in the picture is the bladder and the larger grey cloud shape is the bowl sitting in front of the spine and coccyx .

The smaller grey shape at the end of the pelvic floor is the pubic bone. For woman (picture on right) between the bladder and the bowl you can see the uterus (light pink shape).

Question 4

What are the main types of incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Incontinence is the leakage of urine and can be classified as follows:

Stress Urine Incontinence (SUI)

Increased intra-abdominal pressures (e.g. coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running) leading to urine leakage from your bladder. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles around your bladder and anus (back passage) become weak or stretched.

Urge urinary incontinence (UI)

Sudden urge to urinate followed by loss of urine. Bladder needs to be emptied in a hurry and/or very often (high frequency as the bladder can only hold a small amount of urine and needs emptying often) Urinate often and during night. Urinary infections can cause urge incontinence

Mixed Incontinence – When you have both Urge and Stress incontinence.

Question 5

How do I know if I have a weak pelvic floor?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes when you have a weak pelvic floor, you may be struggling with symptoms of leaking, lack of control, urgency or you may have other symptoms of heaviness from from bladder or uterus.  See the first FAQ for a list of possible symptoms, if you are still unsure consult a proffessional Pelvic Physiotherapist or your doctor.

Question 6

Can I have pelvic floor symptoms even if I've never had children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are other reasons other than childbirth why you may be suffering with pelvic floor symptoms.  All woman go through chemical changes in their body (menapause) at a certain age and also different lifestyles and medical history can impact your Pelvic Floor.

Pelvic Health Hub

NHS Guidance

Urinary incontinence

Constipation

Jude

Pelvic Health Supplements

CoreCTRL™

SleepTHRU™

PelviTONE™

Leak-proof underwear

Collagen

Protein

Pelvic Health - Medication

Oestrogen

Recommended Reads

Pelvic Floor Devices

Squatty Potty

Helpful Information

Tools & Resources

Helpful Links & Organisations

Blogs & News

Stepping into Summer: Simple Self-Care That Makes a Difference

Lichfield Life: Pelvic Health Matters

Coming soon!

Frequently asked questions