Pelvic Floor

Medical Service Name – Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most frequent female-specific disorders. According to statistics, at least one-third of all women experience pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives. Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction develops as women age.

Possible Causes

The uterus, cervix, vagina, bladder, bowel, urethra, small intestine, and rectum are all held in place by the pelvic floor, which is a network of muscles and tissues that works like a hammock. The disease arises when these pelvic muscles are strained as a result of a tear or loosening.

Pelvic floor disorders are more common in older persons, particularly women, whose bodies have degenerated and have given birth naturally.

Risk Factor

• Your pelvic floor muscles and tissues might become stretched during pregnancy, especially if your labour was protracted and arduous.
• Pelvic floor dysfunction can be passed down through the generations. This is referred to as a hereditary disorder.
• Male urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and prostatitis are all possible side effects in males.

Sign & Symptoms

• Using the restroom regularly. You may also feel compelled to ‘force it out,’ or you may find yourself stopping and starting repeatedly.
• Constipation, or a straining ache during bowel motions. Up to half of the patients with long-term constipation are also considered to have pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Straining or pushing extremely hard to pass a bowel movement, changing positions on the toilet, or using your hand to help remove feces.
• Stool or urine leakage (incontinence).
• Painful urination.
• Experiencing unexplainable discomfort in lower back.
• Experiencing persistent discomfort in pelvic area, genitals, or rectum, with or without a bowel movement.

Diagnosis

Typically, our team of expert doctors will begin by inquiring about your symptoms and collecting a thorough medical history. The following are some of the questions we may ask you:

• Have you ever had a urinary tract infection before?
• Have you given birth if you’re a woman?
• Do you experience pain during sex if you’re a woman?
• Do you suffer from interstitial cystitis (a long-term bladder wall inflammation) or irritable bowel syndrome (a condition affecting the lower intestine)?
• Do you have to struggle to defecate?

We may perform a physical exam to assess your ability to regulate your pelvic floor muscles. Our doctors will examine these muscles for spasms, knots, or weakness with their hands. They may also need to do an intrarectal (rectum) or vaginal exam on you.

Other tests may be administered to you, such as:

• Surface electrodes (skin-adhesive pads) can be used to assess your pelvic muscle control. If you don’t want to take an internal exam, this could be an alternative.
• Anorectal manometry (a test that determines how effectively the anal sphincters function) can assess pressure, muscular strength, and coordination. This is a painless test.
• A defecating proctogram is an X-ray test in which you are given an enema containing a viscous liquid that may be seen. This is a painless test.

Treatment Options at 7DMC

• Biofeedback: Biofeedback is the most standard therapy, which is carried out with the assistance of a physical therapist. Biofeedback is non-invasive and has been shown to benefit over 75% of persons with pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Physical treatment: Physical treatment for the pelvic floor is frequently used in conjunction with biofeedback therapy. The therapist will assess which muscles in your lower back, pelvis, and pelvic floor are too stiff and give you stretching exercises to enhance your coordination.
• Medicines: Keeping your bowel motions smooth and regular with daily medications is crucial for treating pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Relaxation techniques: Our doctor or physical therapist may suggest that you try meditation, warm baths, yoga, exercises, or acupuncture.