Physical Therapy Can Help Ease Pelvic Floor Disorders

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) are a common health issue among women, with one in four experiencing them sometime in their life. The chance of having a PFD increases with age, with 40 percent of women between ages 60 and 79 coping with the condition. About half of women 80 or older are affected.

What is a PFD?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that holds pelvic organs in place, including the bladder, urethra, uterus, and cervix. A PFD happens when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue weaken or are injured. The result can be a pelvic organ prolapse, where one or more pelvic organs drops out of place and presses against other organs like the vagina.  

The factors that cause PFD may include:

• Traumatic injuries, like a car crash
• Pregnancy and giving birth, which can strain the pelvic floor muscles 
• Overuse of pelvic muscles, such as frequently going to the bathroom or pushing too hard
• Pelvic surgery
• Being overweight
• Advancing age 

PFDs can cause discomfort and bladder problems such as frequent urination or leakage. Bowel control problems can also occur. Women with PFD that affects the uterus and vagina may experience discomfort or pain during sex. Because of these issues, women living with PFDs may tend to limit their activities.   

Treatments

There are many things you can do to reduce or ease the symptoms of PFDs, including lifestyle changes and physical therapy exercises.

If you haven’t already talked to your healthcare provider about what you’re experiencing, that should be your first step. Your provider can go over the treatment options with you and make recommendations.

Lifestyle changes you can make include:

• Limit foods and drinks that stimulate the bladder. A PFD may increase the urge to urinate, so lowering intake of foods and beverages that stimulate the bladder can help reduce the number of trips to the bathroom. This includes avoiding caffeinated and carbonated beverages, citrus, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol.
• Eat a high-fiber diet. PFDs can cause leaky stool or constipation. A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation and encourage regular bowel movements. Learn how to increase your fiber intake by reading our blog article on the importance of fiber in your diet.
• Lose weight. If you are overweight or obese, it can increase the intensity of PFD symptoms. Losing weight will help relieve pressure on pelvic organs and decrease bladder control issues.   It doesn’t have to be much, as research shows losing just 5 percent of body weight can lessen or prevent PFDs. Small changes in your routine can get you started, such as taking a daily walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator. 

Non-surgical treatments include:

• Bladder training. To regain bladder control, this training sets a schedule for using the bathroom. Over time, the goal is to lengthen the duration between trips. Techniques are also used to overcome urges to urinate between bathroom breaks.
• Pelvic floor muscle training. Exercising and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (also known as Kegel exercises) can improve symptoms like incontinence. Check out this article on how to do Kegel exercises from our health library.
• Medicines to control incontinence. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications that help bladder control problems. Other medications can help maintain regular bowel movements.
• Vaginal pessary. A pessary is a device inserted into the vagina that helps support pelvic organs. A healthcare provider can fit the device and provide instruction on how to use it.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Surgical treatments for PFDs are available to repair a prolapse and correct bladder control problems. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this type of surgery, especially women who want to have children. Having surgery may not prevent another PFD from occurring in the future.

Exercise therapy for women’s pelvic health may be a better option. A physical therapist can prescribe gentle exercises and stretches to reduce pain and improve symptoms. These exercises only take a few minutes and can be done in the comfort of your home.   

There are physical therapists who specialize in the treatment of pelvic pain and PFD. To find one, you can search for terms like ‘pelvic floor physical therapy near me’ or use the physical therapist locator provided by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.