What Are The Symptoms Of Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles?

Do you feel like your pelvic floor muscles are giving out on you?

Even when they seem to be doing just fine, they may not be. Weak pelvic floor muscles can cause a variety of symptoms and issues that negatively affect your life.

If this sounds like what’s happening to you, read on for more information about how we can help. 

The article will discuss the most common symptoms and how we can treat them.

Most Common Symptoms of Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles.

1.  Frequent Urination

You may feel like you have to go to the bathroom frequently. Oftentimes, this is related to weakened pelvic floor muscles that no longer offer the best support for your bladder and urethra. When the pelvic floor muscles weaken, it is more difficult for them to hold your bladder area up and in place. This can cause urine leakage as well as frequent urination.

2.  Painful Sex

If you experience pain during sexual intercourse, your weak pelvic floor muscles may be to blame. Most often, this is due to a lack of muscle control during intercourse. Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can cause discomfort, pain, and even bruising during sex.

3.  Constipation

Constipation is also a common symptom of weak pelvic floor muscles. If you find yourself struggling to have a bowel movement or are experiencing constipation more often than not, the issue may be related to your pelvic floor muscles. Weak pelvic muscles can cause issues with bowel movements and make it difficult to have a normal flow.

4.  Back Pain

Back pain is often related to the weakness of your pelvic floor muscles. When they become weak, you may find it harder to engage in physical activities such as sports or exercise due to its strain on your pelvic area. If you feel like your back is constantly hurting, it might be because of weak pelvic floor muscles.

5.  Other Symptoms

A number of other symptoms may occur when the pelvic floor muscles are weakened, including: 

• Thin or dry vaginal tissue   

• Sexually transmitted diseases   

• Vaginal yeast infections   

• Incontinence (bowel and bladder)   

• Decreased or inhibited orgasm ability   

• Painful bowel movements   

If you are experiencing any of the above issues, weak pelvic floor muscles may be to blame.

Treating Pelvic Floor Issues.  

The first step in treating pelvic floor issues is to determine the source of the issue by completing a comprehensive evaluation with a specialist.  For women, a gynecologist will be able to help determine the source of your pelvic floor issues.

For men, a urologist or urogynecologist can help you with this. Once they have determined the cause of your symptoms, they can recommend the best course of action.  This could include surgery, physical therapy, or even just lifestyle changes. Please keep in mind these issues can occur in men or women.

Physical therapy for pelvic floor muscles may consist of a number of different techniques, including:

1.  Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises are a great way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and could be the only treatment your doctor recommends. By practicing Kegels, you’ll increase muscle control and muscle power.

2.  Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a type of pelvic floor treatment that uses real-time monitoring to guide you through developing better control over your muscles. This allows you to perform targeted exercises at the right intensity level for your pelvic floor muscles, giving them more support and help with any weakness or damage.

3.  Mindfulness Meditation

By practicing mindfulness meditation, you’ll learn how to take control of your body and mind. Using this technique, you can eliminate stress and negative feelings so that pelvic floor muscles do not have to work as hard and become weakened.

4.  Vaginal Dilators

Vaginal dilators are often used in conjunction with other pelvic floor treatments. They’re the only FDA-approved medical device for treating pelvic organ prolapse (the dropping of one or more pelvic organs due to weakened muscles). Dilators help maintain vaginal tone and function while also preventing their further weakening. Many women use dilators after surgery to prevent the vagina from collapsing.

5.  Kegel Toys

Kegel toys are also a great way to strengthen pelvic floor muscles by using vibrations or weights that can be flexed and released, simulating the act of making love. These devices are often used in conjunction with physical therapy treatments to provide more support for weakened tissues.   

Treating weak pelvic floor muscles is simple with the help of a doctor who specializes in this area. They will be able to complete an evaluation and recommend the best treatment options for your specific case, which could even include pelvic floor physical therapy or Kegel exercises. Until then, if you are experiencing any form of incontinence, try practicing Kegel exercises. It may help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and prevent further problems from occurring in the future.

For more information, check out these pages: How to do Kegels, How to exercise your pelvic floor, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy.

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