Women’s Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

By women’s health specialist, Kerry Breen, PT, MPT, ATRIC
You may be wondering what pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is, and how physical therapy can help when your pelvic floor muscles are not working optimally. First, it is helpful to know where the pelvic floor muscles are located and their roles and functions. This helps you to understand how your pelvic floor muscles may be contributing to some of the problems associated with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and/or pelvic organ prolapse. 

For a simplistic explanation, the pelvic floor muscles consist of 3 layers of muscles that cover the bottom of your pelvis and have 3 distinct roles. These roles consist of the three S’s: Supportive, Sphincteric, and Sexual.  Let’s review these roles in more detail:

1. Supportive: The pelvic floor muscles support the pelvic organs and also assist with core muscle control. Most of us are aware of how important having a strong core is. Think of the muscles of your pelvic floor, abdominals, spinal muscles, and diaphragm as the 4 sides of the “foundation of your house”, which is an analogy for a strong, functioning body.
2. Sphincteric: The pelvic floor muscles surround the openings of the vagina, urethra, and anus, and close the openings or relax the openings. They stop and start the flow of urine. They also expand and contract to have a bowel movement or deliver a baby. 
3. Sexual: The pelvic floor muscles aid in sexual appreciation, including the experience of orgasm.

As you can see, these muscles play a significant role in important functions of daily life and the big life moments, such as delivering your precious ones!

Problems with the pelvic floor muscles are very common, and many of us, our friends, or family members may be experiencing symptoms related to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. In fact, one in four women are experiencing at least 1 pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. 

As a PT who specializes in women’s pelvic floor evaluation and treatment, I provide education and valuable tools that have a significant impact on the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. 

Please open the attached Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Protocol and use this as a tool to help determine if you may benefit from physical therapy. If you have any questions about physical therapy for women’s pelvic health, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at Alliance Physical Therapy.