The pelvic floor is a complex muscle structure suspended between the pelvic bone in the front and the tailbone in the back, forming a sling, or hammock. These muscles, nerves, connective tissues and skeletal structures support the bladder, rectum, uterus and vagina (in women) and prostate (in men). Having a strong pelvic floor is essential for proper bladder and bowel function, comfort, sexual performance, and pelvic stability with movement.
Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction may include:
- Urinary Tract: urgency, frequency, leakage, discomfort, difficulty urinating
- Gastrointestinal Tract: low back pain, bloating, rectal pressure, constipation, fecal incontinence
- Genital Tract: pelvic pain, pressure, prolapse, pain during or after intercourse, pain with ejaculation, erectile dysfunction
- Postpartum: lacerations, pain, fecal incontinence