Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

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Pelvic floor dysfunction generally falls into 2 categories: overactive pelvic floor and underactive pelvic floor. 

Physical Therapy treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction works to normalize muscle tone and pelvic organ function. This may include strengthening activities, stretching, relaxation training, coordination training, manual techniques, and posture training. In many cases, pelvic floor physical therapy improves outcomes when surgery is necessary, and may even replace surgery and/or medication entirely!

Overactive Pelvic Floor Symptoms:

Overactive pelvic floor may be reported with any of the following
symptoms, and physical therapy can help alleviate these symptoms:

• Painful intercourse
• Vulvar pain
• Painful urination
• Functional constipation
• Difficulty passing gas

Medical diagnosis for overactive pelvic floor include:

• Vulvodynia
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Endometriosis
• Vaginismus
• Chronic Prostatitis
• Levator Ani Syndrome
• Coccygodynia
• Vestibulitis

Underactive Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Diagnoses

Underactive pelvic floor may be reported with any of the following symptoms, and physical therapy can help alleviate these symptoms:

• Pressure in the pelvic floor
• Urinary leakage
• Frequent urination
• Fecal incontinence
• Urinary urgency

Medical diagnosis for overactive pelvic floor include:

• Urinary incontinence
• Fecal Incontinence
• Urinary Frequency
• Urinary Urgency
• Cystocele
• Rectocele
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse