Causes and Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Problems with the reproductive organs are a conce for most people, and many often feel as if they are facing them alone. They don't know when it is normal and when it is not, and they are afraid to come out and seek treatment. Due to such circumstances, they may suffer in silence. However, it should not be anything to be embarrassed about. Peter Khamvongsa is a Miami, FL urogynecology expert who treats all such conditions, including urinary incontinence and vaginal fistulas. Book an appointment.

What are pelvic floor disorders?

Pelvic floor disorders occur when an individual is unable to control the muscles of their pelvic floor effectively. The pelvic floor supports organs in the pelvis, including the rectum, bladder, and uterus. Contraction of these muscles allows you to control urination and bowel movements, and sexual intercourse in women. Therefore, a problem with the pelvic floor means that you cannot control bowel movements. If untreated, the condition could damage the colon or cause severe infection.

What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?

People with this condition may experience:

• Lower back pain
• Urinary issues including painful urination and a frequent urge to urinate
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse, especially in women
• Pressure in the rectum or pelvic region
• Bowel strains or constipation
• Pelvic region pain and around the genitals
• Muscle spasms around the pelvis
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Bulging in the vagina

What causes pelvic disorders?

Research is still ongoing to determine the exact cause of these dysfunctions. Below are the most common conditions that have been linked to pelvic disorders:

• Childbirth: Complications in childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles
• Obesity
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic injuries impacting the pelvic region
• Repeated lifting or strenuous activity
• Chronic diseases

Other factors that could tear and weaken pelvic floor muscles include tobacco and a family history of similar problems.

Which treatment options are available?

The good news is that people with pelvic floor problems do not have to deal with long-term consequences. With proper medical care, incontinence and pain during intercourse can be eliminated or managed. Options include:

• Medications: For mild cases, the doctor can prescribe certain medications to treat incontinence and similar issues.
• Injections and bladder control: The doctor can inject the patients with Calcium or silicone and Botox treatments to control stress incontinence. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis.
• Nerve stimulation: Overactive bladder can be treated using nerve stimulation that works the same way acupuncture does.
• Training pelvic muscles: Doctors recommend Kegels, exercises that strengthen pelvic floor muscles, to people with dysfunction and those without. It involves relaxing and squeezing pelvic muscles to treat symptoms of prolapse. However, exercises cannot wholly eliminate prolapse symptoms.

For the cases that cannot be treated using the above treatments, urogynecology experts turn to surgical procedures to repair and rebuild the pelvic floor. This helps support the bladder and correct incontinence. If you have a related issue causing you embarrassment, book an appointment online with Peter Khamvongsa, MD, for a personalized consultation and treatment.