Pelvic floor dysfunction & physical therapy

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your pelvic organs, including your bladder, uterus, urethra and rectum. These muscles hold your organs in place so they can function properly. If the strength of your pelvic floor decreases, it can cause pelvic floor dysfunction.

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?

When your pelvic floor muscles aren’t functioning properly, you might notice symptoms such as incontinence or overactive bladder (the most common sign of pelvic floor dysfunction), pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain or changes in sexual function. Many of these conditions are treatable – and not always with surgery. Treatment often includes pelvic floor exercises you can learn and do on your own.

If you’re experiencing pelvic floor issues, a women’s health specialist can help determine the best treatment plan for you. Our program offers comprehensive treatment, including surgical and nonsurgical approaches tailored directly to you to help you keep your independence, confidence, comfort and control.

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction

A weak or tight pelvic floor can cause:

• Change in sexual function
• Constipation
• Frequent urination or overactive bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic pain
• Urinary or fecal incontinence
• Urinary retention

What is pelvic prolapse?

Pelvic prolapse is when one of your pelvic organs drops out of place. Pelvic organs include your uterus, bladder, small bowel, vagina or rectum.

Symptoms of pelvic prolapse include feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bladder, pressure in your pelvic organs, repeat bladder infections, constipation, uncontrollable gas, leaking stool or feeling like you can’t get all the stool out.

Pelvic floor dysfunction causes

Pelvic floor dysfunction is common and can affect anyone, even in their younger years. Sources of weak muscles as well as tense or overactive pelvic floors include:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Straining while using the bathroom
• Using the bathroom too frequently
• Being overweight or obese
• Hormonal changes due to menopause
• Aging
• Bad posture
• Anxiety, depression and stress
• Injuries to the pelvic area, such as traumatic falls
• Heavy lifting
• Inactive lifestyle
• Assault or abuse

Though it tends to affect women more often, men can also experience pelvic floor dysfunction with related symptoms like bladder and bowel issues as well as changes in sexual function.

What are the long-term effects of pelvic floor dysfunction?

Even though pelvic floor dysfunction affects many people – about one in three women will have pelvic floor dysfunction during her lifetime – many people accept the condition as a normal part of life and don’t seek pelvic physical therapy treatment. Without intervention, this dysfunction can worsen and may contribute to:

• Hip and back pain
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain while sitting
• Urinary tract infections

When should I get help for pelvic floor disorders?

11 quick questions walk you through potential pelvic floor symptoms to help you decide.

Take the self-assessment

Pelvic floor therapy treatment

Our specialists emphasize a nonsurgical approach to treating pelvic floor dysfunction whenever possible, focusing on providing you with pelvic floor therapy tools to help yourself.

Physical and occupational pelvic floor therapists who specialize in how muscles interact with the organs and tissues in your pelvis perform pelvic floor therapy to help maintain bladder, bowel and sexual function.

We’ll develop a personalized care plan based on your needs. Your plan may include:

• Behavioral and lifestyle changes
• Hands-on therapy to address tissues, scars or tight muscles
• Techniques of pelvic physical therapy to improve muscle and bone alignment
• Pelvic floor exercises to optimize proper function
• A painless process called biofeedback that uses small sensors and a computer monitor to help you visualize and identify muscle activity
• Information and education about your anatomy, diet and fluids and personal care

Your therapist will provide pelvic floor exercises that you can do at home. These home exercises are a vital part of your pelvic physical therapy. You’ll get faster results when you follow up with these day-to-day activities.

Locations

Our board-certified urogynecology specialists treat the full range of pelvic floor disorders at our comprehensive centers throughout eastern Wisconsin. In addition to these locations, we also offer pelvic physical therapy by referral.

Aurora West Allis Medical Center
Aurora Women's Pavilion
8901 W. Lincoln Ave.
Suite 405
West Allis, WI 53227
414-329-5650

Aurora Medical Center – Grafton
Medical Office Building
975 Port Washington Rd.
Grafton, WI 53024
262-329-8100

Aurora Medical Center – Summit
Medical Office Building
36500 Aurora Dr.
Summit, WI 53066
262-434-5000

Aurora Health Center
4202 W. Oakwood Park Ct.
Suite 200
Franklin, WI 53132
414-649-1280

Aurora Medical Center – Kenosha
10400 75th St.
Suite 310
Kenosha, WI 53142
262-948-7020

Aurora BayCare Medical Center
Women's Center
2845 Greenbrier Rd.
4th floor
Green Bay, WI 54311
920-288-8510