Pelvic Dysfunctions:
Pelvic dysfunctions occur when the muscles of the pelvic floor ;which have a role in bladder, bowel, sexual function and support are too tight, loose or weak. Coordination is also an important factor in their ability to properly function.
-
Urinary incontinence is a really fancy term for saying you leak urine! There are multiple types of urinary incontinence: stress, urge and mixed incontinence.
-
What is urgency?
Urinary urgency is the strong sensation that your bladder needs to be emptied. This is caused by fasciculations or wiggling/spasming of the bladder. This is completely normal if the bladder is full and ready to be emptied. Our bladder has mechanoreceptors which are pressure sensors. As it fills with urine, it stretches and eventually lets you know it’s time to empty. -
Constipation is one of those topics people don’t love to talk about, but it’s extremely common. Constipation generally refers to difficulty passing stool, having fewer than three bowel movements per week, straining, hard stools, or feeling like you didn’t completely empty your bowels. And while diet and hydration often get all the attention, the pelvic floor plays a huge role in healthy bowel movements.
-
Vulvodynia is chronic pain of the vulva that lasts for at least three months and does not have an identifiable cause such as an infection or skin condition. The pain can be burning, stinging, raw, achy, or sharp, and for many people it’s incredibly distressing. It can impact sitting, exercise, clothing choices, intimacy, and overall quality of life.
While vulvodynia can feel confusing and overwhelming, there is a path forward — and pelvic floor physical therapy is often a key part of treatment.
-
Nobody warns you about the pelvic floor changes that come with perimenopause. You might hear about hot flashes, irregular periods, and mood shifts — but the conversation rarely includes the leaking, the pressure, the painful sex, or the feeling that your body is somehow less yours than it used to be.
Here's the truth: what's happening is hormonal, structural, and completely explainable. And more importantly, it is not something you just have to live with.
-
Vaginismus is a condition that can feel confusing, isolating, and deeply personal. It is defined as involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles that surround the vaginal opening, making penetration painful or impossible. This can include intercourse, tampon use, gynecologic exams, or even internal medical assessments. While vaginismus is common, it is often misunderstood and many people struggle silently for years before finding answers.
From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, vaginismus is not about weakness, failure, or something being “wrong” with you. It is a protective response of the body, and importantly, it is very treatable.
-
Dyspareunia is the medical term for pain with sexual intercourse. While it may sound clinical, the experience itself is anything but. Pain with intimacy can be physically uncomfortable, emotionally distressing, and deeply isolating. Many people feel confused, frustrated, or even blamed for something that feels completely out of their control.
From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, dyspareunia is not something you should “push through,” ignore, or accept as normal. Pain with sex is common, but it is not normal — and it is often very treatable.
Learn more here -
Pudendal neuralgia is a condition that can be incredibly disruptive, frustrating, and often misunderstood. It refers to pain that involves the pudendal nerve — a major nerve that supplies sensation to the vulva, perineum, rectum, and, in some cases, the clitoris and anus. This pain can significantly impact sitting, intimacy, bowel and bladder function, and overall quality of life.
Many people with pudendal neuralgia spend months or even years searching for answers. If you’ve been told your imaging is “normal,” your exams look “fine,” or you’ve been left wondering why you hurt, you’re not alone. And importantly — there is help.
-
Coccydynia — more commonly known as coccyx or tailbone pain — is a condition that can be surprisingly disruptive to daily life. Sitting, driving, transitioning from sitting to standing, exercising, and even bowel movements can become uncomfortable or painful. Because the coccyx is small and often overlooked, tailbone pain is frequently misunderstood or dismissed.
From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, coccyodynia is rarely “just a bone problem.” The coccyx plays an important role in pelvic floor function, and pain in this area is often influenced by muscle tension, posture, movement patterns, and nervous system sensitivity. The good news? This is a condition that can often improve with the right care.
Learn more here -
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, even up to the diaphragm and in some cases lungs. This tissue responds to your hormonal cycle just like the uterine lining does: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. But unlike a normal period, that breakdown has nowhere to go. It becomes inflammation. Adhesions. Scar tissue that binds structures together that were never meant to be connected.
The result is a body that has learned to brace, guard, and protect.
-
Pregnancy is a time of incredible change — physically, hormonally, and emotionally. As your body adapts to support a growing baby, nearly every system is affected, including the pelvic floor. While pregnancy is a natural process, it also places unique demands on the muscles, joints, and connective tissues that support the pelvis.
From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, pregnancy is not just something to “get through.” It’s an opportunity to support your body, reduce discomfort, and set yourself up for a smoother delivery and postpartum recovery.
Prepare for labor and delivery here. -
The postpartum period is a time of incredible change, adjustment, and growth — both for your baby and for your own body. After carrying and delivering a child, your body has undergone major physical, hormonal, and emotional shifts. While many people focus on newborn care during this time, it’s equally important to focus on your own recovery.
From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, postpartum recovery is not just about “bouncing back.” It’s about rebuilding strength, restoring function, preventing complications, and reconnecting with your body in a safe, intentional way.
Start your recovery process here. -
Diastasis recti is a common condition that many people experience during and after pregnancy. It refers to a separation of the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles — the “six-pack” muscles — along the midline of the abdomen. While it might look like a bump, ridge, or gap in the stomach, diastasis recti is more than just a cosmetic concern. From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, it’s a functional issue that can affect core stability, posture, pelvic floor health, and overall movement.
Understanding diastasis recti, addressing it safely, and learning how to restore function is key to long-term recovery and wellbeing.
Read more here -
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition that many people experience, yet few openly talk about. It can feel alarming, uncomfortable, or even scary when you first notice symptoms (A sensation of pressure, heaviness, or fullness in the pelvis; Feeling or seeing a bulge in the vaginal opening to name a few) but it is important to know that pelvic organ prolapse is common, treatable, and very manageable. From a pelvic floor physical therapy perspective, prolapse is not a life sentence or something that automatically requires surgery. With the right education, movement strategies, and rehabilitation, many people are able to significantly improve symptoms and return to activities they enjoy.
Read more here.