What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Introduction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a term used to describe the inability of the pelvic floor to function normally. This can involve a disorder of the muscles, nerves, or both, along with surrounding joints like the hips and sacroiliac joint. The pelvic floor muscles are the muscles around the genitalia, and they support normal bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Dysfunction of these muscles interferes with the normal functioning of those organ systems.

What Is a Pelvic Therapist?

A pelvic therapist is a physical therapist with additional, specific training to evaluate and treat complaints of pain and dysfunction in the pelvic floor area. This area of treatment has historically focused mostly on women, and was often called women's health. More recently, the term "pelvic health" is used to be inclusive of men as well.

Common Diagnoses in Men

Some of the common diagnoses men present with include:

• Incontinence (stress and urge incontinence)
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
• Pelvic pain
• Interstitial cystitis
• IBS
• Coccyx (tailbone) pain
• Constipation

Common Diagnoses in Women

Some of the diagnoses for women can include:

• Incontinence
• Pelvic organ prolapse (bladder or rectum)
• Post-abdominal and pelvic floor surgery
• Pudendal nerve dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction, such as dyspareunia (painful penetration)
• IBS

Common Diagnoses in Children

Some diagnoses treated in children include:

• Bed wetting
• Constipation

Conclusion

I hope this brings some clarity to what a pelvic floor therapist treats.