Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a highly personal topic, so it is rarely discussed, even among family and friends. Consequently, there are common misconceptions surrounding the condition. What is PFD? It’s is an umbrella term — encompassing problems with pelvic floor muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support the pelvic organs, including the rectum and bladder, and in women, the uterus and vagina.
Explains Physical Therapist Jeanne Scheele at the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, “With PFD, the pelvic muscles may be tight, damaged or weak, which can lead to embarrassing symptoms such as lack of bladder and bowel control (urinary or fecal incontinence) and pain during intercourse.
To test your own knowledge of PFD, decide whether each of the following statements is “True” or “False:”
1. Pelvic floor dysfunction is always associated with pelvic pain.
2. Incontinence, a typical symptom of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), is rare.
3. Incontinence is a normal part of aging.
4. PFD is strictly a woman’s disorder.
5. There is no effective treatment for PFD.
6. Your medical provider will be embarrassed if you bring up any issues you be experiencing with incontinence, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction.
If you believe that ANY of the above statements are “True,” please read on — knowing the facts about PFD could dramatically improve your quality of life or that of a loved one.
MYTH 1: Pelvic floor dysfunction is always associated with pelvic pain. FACT: Sometimes, but not always, PFD is associated with pelvic pain caused by muscle tightness. In women, “pelvic-organ prolapse” can occur, a condition where the pelvic organs drop, causing a bulge in the vaginal canal, which can lead to incontinence or pain during intercourse.
MYTH 2: Incontinence, a typical symptom of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), is rare. FACT: These disorders are actually quite common. In fact, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, those suffering from a incontinence include: 10 percent of women from 20 to 39 years of age, 27 percent of women ages 40 to 59, 37 percent of women ages 60 to 79, and almost half of all women 80 or older. There are few studies that have investigated pelvic floor dysfunction in men, however, The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reports that incontinence, one of the most common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, occurs in 17% of men ages 60 and older.
According to Scheele, “The most startling statistic may be that women suffer with incontinence for an average of 6.5 years, and men for 4.2 years, before they finally seek treatment. Obviously, many people are living with chronic symptoms that undermine their day-to-day quality of life — a fact made more tragic because help is readily available.”
MYTH 3: Incontinence is a normal part of aging. FACT: Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed by Harris Interactive (a market research firm) reported that they believe incontinence is a normal part of aging. Explains Scheele, “Although age is contributing factor in pelvic floor dysfunction, the truth is that incontinence is NOT a normal OR an inevitable part of growing older.” There are many factors that can contribute to the onset of incontinence, including a poor diet, years of being sedentary, hormonal changes, and being overweight. In women, pregnancy and childbirth also can increase the risk.
MYTH 4: PFD is strictly a woman’s disorder. FACT: Although it is true that women are more often diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, it does occur in men too. Men can experience urinary or fecal incontinence due to weak pelvic floor muscles, just as women do. And like women, men also can exhibit coccydynia — pain in the tailbone — if their pelvic floor muscles are too tight.
MYTH 5: Your medical provider will be embarrassed if you bring up any issues you be experiencing with incontinence, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction. FACT: “This is the silliest myth of all!!” Says Scheele, “Your physicians and physical therapists have heard and seen it all. They deal with these issues often. Your provider will ask questions to help you describe your symptoms and will be happy to answer any questions you may about the issues that may be contributing to your particular set of symptoms.”
MYTH 6: PFD cannot be treated. FACT: PFD most definitely CAN be treated. In some cases surgery is necessary, but usually there are non-invasive treatments that can help you reclaim control of your bodily functions and your life. Treatments include combination of physical therapy, relaxation techniques, diet and exercise, and sometimes hormone therapy. The muscles of the pelvic floor are just that — muscles. As with any muscle, there are strengthening exercises and ways to reeducate the muscles so that that they regain strength and functionality.
Remember, your medical providers are there to help you. If you are experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic or tailbone pain/pressure, talk to your doctor. Either your physician or your physical therapist will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the root causes of your problems.
Now that we’ve busted the myths about pelvic floor dysfunction, it’s up to you! Talk with your medical provider, and get on the path toward resolution.
About Physical Therapist Jeanne Scheele and The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine: The Kaplan Center’s team of physicians, physical therapists, and other health care providers combine the best of conventional medicine with the best alternative practices to address chronic pain and illness and to help individuals attain optimal health for life. Jeanne Scheele, PT, holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and a Certificate of Proficiency in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine. In the last ten years Jeanne has focused her continuing-education efforts on pain management, and in particular, on the use of physical therapy to decrease women’s pelvic pain and to manage incontinence. To learn more: www.kaplanclinic.com.
