Many women are suffering from pelvic floor health issues in silence. They may feel embarrassed to talk about these issues or may be unaware of what they’re actually dealing with.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a condition that affects the muscles & tissues supporting key pelvic organs such as the bowel, bladder, and uterus (or prostate in men). When these muscles become weak, overly tight, or fail to work in harmony. This led to frustrating and sometimes debilitating problems like incontinence, constipation, and pelvic pain.
What causes PFD? There are a range of factors that cause Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, like childbirth, aging, injury, surgery, & chronic straining. While it is mostly common in women, but can also affect men. In this blog post, we will talk about the hidden pain of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction through a real-life example.
When a Spine Twinge Becomes a Mystery
A sharp, mysterious pain at the base of her spine sent a new mother & writer, Casey Johnston, on a search for answers to what’s happening. It led her into a surprisingly overlooked corner of human health- pelvic floor dysfunction. Despite being a seasoned weightlifter, postpartum and fresh off a demanding book tour, Johnston found herself unable to sit, stand, or move without worsening pain. Weeks passed, and the problem only grew more confusing.
Finally, a pelvic floor specialist revealed the truth- Johnston was holding an alarming amount of tension in the muscles most people barely know exist. Postpartum strain, old athletic tweaks, and even years of accumulated stress had combined into a perfect storm. The pain wasn’t random; it was a signal from deep and hidden muscles begging for help.
Understand the Pelvic Floor: The Body’s Most Underrated Support System
The pelvic floor is often described as a muscular hammock stretching across the bottom of the pelvis. It supports our organs, stabilizes movement, and influences everything from continence to sexual function. Yet despite its importance, it’s a part of the body that many people, across all genders.
That lack of awareness comes at a cost. Pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest as:
- Chronic pelvic or low-back pain
- Urinary or fecal incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Painful intercourse
- Unexplained core instability
Why Medicine Missed It for So Long
For decades, Western medicine largely ignored pelvic floor research. This meant millions of patients were left with vague diagnoses, ineffective treatments, or the dismissive suggestion to “just do Kegels.” But true pelvic floor health is far more complex. Muscles can be too weak, too tight, or uncoordinated. Each pattern requires a different therapeutic approach.
Why Kegels are Not a Complete Solution?
Kegels get all the spotlight, but experts now emphasize that pelvic floor care is not one-size-fits-all. For many patients, especially postpartum people, tightness and overactivity are the real culprits, not weakness. In such cases, Kegel exercises can worsen the health condition.
Proper and quick recovery requires a personalized combination of:
- Pelvic floor physical therapy
- Breathing & relaxation techniques
- Strength training to restore core muscle coordination
- Psychological support to reduce stress
Advance Solutions for Pelvic Health Care
Today, EMFEMME 360 & EMSELLA chair are revolutionizing pelvic health treatment. It offers technology-driven and non-invasive solutions for pelvic health issues like vaginal laxity, urinary incontinence, & dryness. Explore how these advanced solutions help to restore confidence & improve overall quality of life without surgery or downtime.
EMFEMME 360: Vaginal & Tissue Rejuvenation
Technology: It uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to effectively heat pelvic & vaginal tissues.
How it Works: The Treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production, which gently tightens tissues.
Advantages: Helps to address vaginal dryness, improves lubrication, laxity, & reduces sudden urinary leakage.
Experience: It is a quick & painless treatment which takes only 10 to 30 minutes. You will feel quite sensation of warmth, similar to a hot stone massage.
EMSELLA: Strengthens the Pelvic Floor Muscles
Technology: It uses HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) technology that delivers thousands of powerful contractions in a 20- 30-minute session.
How it Works: Stimulates deep pelvic floor muscles, creating new muscle fibers and improving neuromuscular control. The contractions are equivalent to many Kegel exercises done intensely and effectively.
Benefits: Helps to treat urinary incontinence and stress. It improves pelvic stability, enhances sexual function & satisfaction.
Experience: Patients just need to sit fully clothed on the EMSELLA chair. They may feel small tingling and contractions without any downtime.
The Long Road to Relief
Johnston’s journey underscores just how frustrating invisible pain can be. She bounced from expert to expert, searching for solutions that didn’t seem to exist. But with persistence—and the right specialist—she began to understand her body’s signals and slowly rebuild her strength.
It proves that pelvic floor dysfunction is common, real, and treatable; we need to give these hidden muscles the attention they deserve. For more details, click on the provided link- https://www.newser.com/story/379222/what-we-get-wrong-about-the-pelvic-floor.html
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms?
Some of the most common pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms include:
- Urinary issues such as leaking urine or stool, urgency, or painful urination
- Bowel problems including constipation, straining, or incontinence
- Pelvic, genital, or rectal pain and pressure
- Sexual dysfunction or discomfort during intercourse
What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction can develop due to several factors such as childbirth, obesity, and aging. Other causes include chronic straining from coughing, constipation, or heavy lifting, medical conditions like endometriosis, IBS, or prostate cancer, nerve damage, and prolonged mental stress.
What are some effective pelvic floor dysfunction exercises?
Effective pelvic floor dysfunction exercises focus on relaxing, strengthening, and coordinating the pelvic muscles. Common exercises include Kegels, squats, and Bird-Dog movements, along with core strengthening, glute exercises, and proper breathing techniques. Consistent practice is essential for improving pelvic health.