Could you be suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction? While pelvic floor dysfunction is extraordinarily common, it’s a condition that was rarely talked about until recently. The exact number of people suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction isn’t known. However, research suggests that up to 50% of women of childbearing age suffer from this condition.
Many people have lived with painful, embarrassing symptoms for years without understanding that this condition is actually treatable. What’s more, many doctors lack the understanding of how to diagnose and treat pelvic floor dysfunction. The answer is holistic, patient-focused medicine. Here at Denver Chiropractic, we specialize in helping people improve their lives when suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. Some risk factors that may increase your odds of developing pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Pregnancy and delivery.
- Traumatic injuries to the pelvic area.
- Straining when using the bathroom.
- Pelvic surgeries.
- A history of urinary tract infections.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Nerve damage.
- Being overweight.
- Aging.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is something that can affect both men and women. If you suspect that something is off balance, knowing the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction is important. Take a look at the top three symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
Symptom #1: Bladder and Bowel Issues
The bladder can be greatly affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. Painful, strained urination is the most common symptom for both men and women. In addition, leaking is a common issue for both men and women. Leaking tied to pelvic floor dysfunction typically happens immediately after urinating. While bladder issues tied to pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to feelings of hopelessness, it is important to know that chiropractic management of urinary incontinence has been shown to produce improvements over time.
Bowel issues are also extremely common with pelvic floor dysfunction. Under normal circumstances, going to the bathroom is fairly effortless due to the body’s reflex for tightening and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. However, people with pelvic floor dysfunction experience a tightening of the muscles that isn’t followed by a muscle release. As a result, it’s very common for people with pelvic floor dysfunction to have trouble releasing bowel movements. In many cases, they deal with painful and incomplete bowel movements that leave them with chronic constipation. Some people with pelvic floor dysfunction will also experience leaking stools.
Symptom #2: Pain and Muscle Spasms
Pain throughout the back and pelvic region is common among people suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. This pain can often be hard to diagnose because it can radiate throughout the lower body, genitals, and rectum. In some cases, people experience sharp, acute pain. Others may have dull pain that comes and goes. The pain may even feel more intense when a bowel movement is coming. However, pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction can occur with or without an accompanying bowel movement. It’s very common to feel like you’re in a constant state of inflammation when living with pelvic floor dysfunction.
Muscle spasms in the pelvic floor can also trigger extreme pain and discomfort. These spasms are often felt as bands of tight muscle that palpitate. While they are often triggered by bowel movements, they can happen at any time.
Symptom #3: Painful Sex/Sexual Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can take a dramatic toll on sexual health. Men and women will experience sex-related symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction slightly differently. For women, painful sex is a common symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction. This condition can also have a negative impact on reproductive health by affecting the function of the vagina and uterus.
The pain and tension caused by pelvic floor dysfunction can trigger erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Men suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction may also suffer painful inflammation of the prostate. In addition to causing sexual dysfunction to manifest, pelvic floor dysfunction can simply create pain, discomfort, and embarrassment that can cause both men and women to lose interest in sex.
Getting Help for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Denver, Colorado
Pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms will get worse over time if they aren’t treated. Many people avoid getting help for pelvic floor dysfunction because they don’t want to go through surgery. The good news is that plenty of people are able to treat their pelvic floor pain and dysfunction without surgery. Here at Denver Chiropractic, we see patients living with this condition every single day. We’re able to provide our patients with holistic treatments that incorporate biofeedback with strengthening exercises to restore coordination in the back, pelvis, and pelvic floor. While treatment may require several months of consistent work, you can be confident that you do have ways to reclaim your life if you’re dealing with chronic pain and embarrassment.
It’s time to consider that you might be suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction if you’re struggling with pelvic pressure or fullness, frequent urination, painful urination, urinary leakage, urinary incontinence, back pain, constipation, painful bowel movements, bowel leakage, painful sexual intercourse, sexual dysfunction, or pelvic muscle spasms. At Denver Chiropractic, our first goal is to get you properly diagnosed. We’ll then work with you on a custom plan to restore strength, balance, and coordination throughout your pelvic region. Led by Dr. Trent Artichoker, our team has been helping people overcome and manage their pain through chiropractic care since 2009. Pelvic dysfunction doesn’t have to rule your life. Book an appointment with a pelvic floor dysfunction chiropractor in Denver today.