Pelvic floor dysfunction includes a wide range of symptoms including constipation, pelvic or anorectal pain, difficulty having bowel movements, difficulty with urination, vaginal pain, pain with sexual activity, or even incontinence with bowel movements or urination. Other names for the same condition include pelvic relaxation syndrome or pelvic floor disorders.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is caused by a weakening or loss of coordination of the muscles and nerves that make up our pelvic floor. This includes the muscles and nerves that help the bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum function properly.
Pelvic floor dysfunction usually affects patients later in life, but it is frequently associated with:
Initial evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction starts with a detailed history of a patient’s daily bowel habits and a targeted assessment of symptoms.
A brief examination in the office is usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis but additional studies including anal physiology testing and specialized MRI may be used as well.
Treatment revolves around maximizing quality of life with goal directed therapy.
Treatments include:
There are several other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to pelvic floor dysfunction but have vastly different treatment plans. This is why it is important to seek out care with a colorectal surgeon to help evaluate the exact cause of your symptoms. These conditions can include:
At MASJax, we are happy to provide consultation for pelvic floor dysfunction or any related symptoms and start working on your personalized treatment plan today.