Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to disorders of the pelvic floor muscles that can affect the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs, causing a range of symptoms.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Pelvic floor dysfunction"

Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to disorders of the pelvic floor muscles that can affect the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs, causing a range of symptoms.

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition in which the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues of the pelvic floor do not work properly. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that forms a hammock-like structure at the base of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, bowel, and, in women, the uterus. When this system is impaired, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including urinary incontinence and chronic pelvic pain.

Causes

Pelvic floor dysfunction can result from a variety of factors:

Pregnancy and childbirth: Vaginal delivery, particularly with prolonged pushing or obstetric interventions, can overstretch or injure the pelvic floor muscles.
Ageing: Loss of connective tissue elasticity with age reduces pelvic floor stability.
Obesity: Excess body weight places sustained pressure on the pelvic floor.
Chronic coughing: Conditions such as COPD or asthma with persistent coughing stress the pelvic floor structures.
Chronic constipation: Repeated straining during bowel movements overloads the pelvic floor musculature.
Pelvic surgery: Procedures such as hysterectomy or prostatectomy can damage the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor.
Neurological conditions: Diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease can impair nerve control of the pelvic floor.

Symptoms

Symptoms differ depending on whether the pelvic floor muscles are too weak or too tense:

Weak pelvic floor muscles (hypotonia)

Urinary incontinence (leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or exercising)
Bowel incontinence (unintentional loss of stool)
Sensation of pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen
Pelvic organ prolapse (descent of the bladder, bowel, or uterus)

Overly tense pelvic floor muscles (hypertonia)

Chronic pelvic pain
Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) or vaginismus in women
Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
Bladder emptying problems or frequent, urgent need to urinate

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is established through a combination of assessments:

Medical history and physical examination: Detailed evaluation of symptoms, birth history, and lifestyle, along with manual assessment of the pelvic floor muscles.
Urodynamic testing: Assessment of bladder function and urine flow.
Pelvic floor ultrasound: Imaging of pelvic floor structures.
Pelvic MRI: Detailed cross-sectional imaging to evaluate organ position and muscle integrity.
Anorectal manometry: Pressure measurement in the rectum to assess sphincter function.

Treatment

Treatment is tailored to the type and severity of dysfunction:

Conservative treatment

Pelvic floor physiotherapy: Targeted strengthening or relaxation exercises guided by a specialist physiotherapist.
Biofeedback: Sensors help patients become aware of their pelvic floor muscles and learn to control them consciously.
Electrical stimulation: Electrical impulses activate weakened muscles and support the recovery process.
Lifestyle modifications: Adjusting fluid and dietary habits, achieving a healthy weight, and addressing chronic constipation.
Medication: Depending on the symptom, anticholinergics (for urgency incontinence), muscle relaxants, or topically applied oestrogen preparations may be prescribed.

Interventional and surgical treatment

Pessaries: Devices inserted into the vagina to mechanically support prolapsed organs.
Injections: Botulinum toxin injections for excessively tense pelvic floor muscles.
Surgery: In cases of severe prolapse or persistent incontinence, surgical procedures such as sling operations or prolapse repair may be indicated.

Prevention

Many cases of pelvic floor dysfunction can be prevented or reduced in severity through proactive measures:

Regular pelvic floor exercises, especially during and after pregnancy
Maintaining a healthy body weight
A fibre-rich diet to prevent constipation
Avoiding heavy lifting without correct posture
Timely treatment of chronic cough or other conditions that strain the pelvic floor

References

Haylen BT et al. (2010): An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) / International Continence Society (ICS) Joint Report on the Terminology for Female Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 29(1), 4–20.
Bourcier A, McGuire E, Abrams P (Eds., 2004): Pelvic Floor Disorders. Elsevier Saunders.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK, 2023): Pelvic Floor Disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.

Most read entries

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category