Reviewed by Dr. Chad Gilliam PA
Reading time: four minutes
Pelvic floor health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked. Both tight and weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to significant issues, including pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and even sexual dysfunction.
But how do you know if you have normal, tight or weak pelvic floor muscles?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and provide tips on how to improve pelvic floor health.
Types of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Overactive Pelvic Floor
Overactive pelvic floor muscles occur when the muscles are tight or overactive. Tight pelvic floor muscles become weak and unsupportive because the tightness restricts their ability to produce force. This often leads to issues, such as:
- Pelvic pain, including tailbone pain and hip pain
- Painful urination and a frequent urge to urinate
- Difficulty with bowel movements, typically constipated
- Pain during intercourse
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Symptoms of Overactive Pelvic Floor
If you have overactive pelvic muscles, you may experience the following symptoms. Note that this is not an exhaustive list; everyone experiences different symptoms.
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic region
- Difficulty starting the flow of urine
- Painful sex
- Frequent urination without much output
- Inability to achieve orgasm or maintain an erection (in men)
- Constipation
- Pain when having a bowel movement or when urinating
Underactive Pelvic Floor
An underactive pelvic floor is characterized by weak or stretched muscles that fail to provide adequate support to the pelvic organs. This may result in conditions such as:
- Urinary incontinence and incomplete emptying
- Pelvic organ prolapse, where organs drop into the vaginal canal
- Reduced bowel control and instances of frequent constipation
- Reduced sexual function and altered sensation during sexual activity
Weak pelvic floor muscles can be a result of childbirth, surgery, or simply aging.
Symptoms of Underactive Pelvic Floor
- Leaking of urine or fecal matter
- Unable to hold back gas
- A feeling of heaviness in the pelvic region
- Organ prolapse
- Pain in the low back, tail bone or pelvis
- Decreased sensation during sex and/or the inability to reach orgasm
Treatment Options at Madison Wellness & Aesthetics Center
Emsella
Emsella is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic technology to stimulate pelvic floor muscle training. It’s effective for:
- Improving urinary incontinence
- Enhancing muscle tone
- Reducing pelvic floor muscle tension
BioTe BHRT Pellet Therapy
BioTe BHRT pellet therapy helps balance hormone levels in both men and women. It’s an effective treatment option for improving overall hormone health. Low estrogen and testosterone levels can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, and BioTe BHRT helps restore these levels for optimal health.
Benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy include:
- Improved mood
- Increased libido in men and women
- Reduced hot flashes and night sweats
- Better sleep quality
- Better blood flow
- Improved muscle strength
- Better mood
O-Shot
This treatment involves using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained from the patient’s blood. The PRP contains cell-regenerating growth factors that, when injected into specific areas of the vagina, trigger stem cells to increase blood flow and generate healthy tissue growth as well as help improve the vascularization of the area.
Self-Care Tips for Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Kegel Exercises: These help in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. To identify the pelvic floor muscles, stop urination midstream. You will feel the muscles tighten and pull up. This exercise is meant to help you identify the pelvic floor muscles; do not perform kegels while you are urinating. Rather, perform the exercise while you are laying down or standing. Aim to perform 10-15 repetitions, three times a day.
- Reverse kegel: If you have tight pelvic muscles, you don’t want to strengthen them because they are already too tight. Reverse kegels involve relaxing and lengthening the pelvic floor muscles instead of contracting them. Think about relaxing the muscles like you would to pass urine or gas.
- Breathing techniques: Incorporate deep breathing to relax and reduce muscle tension. This is especially helpful for an overactive pelvic floor.
- Physical therapy: Consult with a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health to create a personalized treatment plan.
Daily Habits for a Healthy Pelvic Floor
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the pelvic organs
- Avoid straining during bowel movements; consume high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water
- Do not hold your urine for long periods of time. Go when you have to go!
- Manage stress levels
When to Seek Professional Help
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms we have described, it’s essential to seek professional help. Your family doctor or a primary healthcare physician can perform an examination to assess your pelvic floor muscles and recommend appropriate treatment.
If you are struggling with incontinence or other symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction, we can help. Emsella has proven to be an effective treatment option for many of our patients at Madison Wellness & Aesthetics Center.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your pelvic floor health and overall well-being. To book an appointment or to inquire about the services we offer, call (256) 722-0555 or complete the online booking form.
