The pelvic floor is a group of muscles in your pelvic area. These muscles support the organs in your pelvis like a sling. The organs in this area include the bladder, uterus (women), prostate (men) and rectum (the area at the end of the large intestine where your body stores solid waste). By contracting and relaxing these muscles, you control your bowel and bladder movements.

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?

When you are unable to control the muscles in your pelvic floor to have a bowel movement, it is called pelvic floor dysfunction. People with pelvic floor dysfunction contract these muscles rather than relax them. Because of this, they cannot have a bowel movement or they have an incomplete one.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction as there is no comprehensive list of causes. However, it can be said that traumatic injuries to the pelvic area seems to have a rather higher preponderance among the causes of pelvic floor dysfunction, which is also known as PFD. While giving birth to a child is an experience that is life changing, the potential downside is that it can be one of the causes of pelvic floor dysfunction in women!

Other symptoms include feeling the need to urinate often and then finding the process to be quite painful. Constipation which occurs in spite of a diet which contains enough roughage is a sign, as well, that it is about time that a person should schedule an appointment with the doctor.

Medication is a possible solution and is usually in the form of a muscle relaxant of a low intensity. However, it is great for a person who has the misfortune of having pelvic floor dysfunction to know that there are solutions which are completely bereft of the need of any form of medication!

Cure Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Reducing the effects of pelvic floor dysfunction can be quite simple, really. Warm baths and some exercises suggested on a subjective basis are quite common. This is a process called biofeedback.

Biofeedback aims to retrain the pelvic floor so that there is far better functioning. The success of this method is well known to a specialist, it has vastly improved the pelvic floor dysfunction conditions of more than 75% of the patients significantly!

The method works by observing the workings of the pelvic floor and then providing feedback regarding its coordination as it expands and contracts. Some of the many things which make this method truly great are that it is non-invasive and non-medical. As a matter of fact, taking into due account its success rate, people should really give it a shot before they try medication or surgery.

Surgery

Surgery is said to be effective in the case of rectocele. Nevertheless, this is the last resort as it is always better to sort out such problems sans having to resort to surgery. Multidisciplinary approaches which involve fields such as psychology are good options. Pelvic floor dysfunction is something that is a pain to have, but it really need not be!

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - Things You Should Know About it 

Why does PAIN occur? Understand the Mechanism of Pain

Pain is an unpleasant and distressing physical sensation caused by disease or injury, which induces hurt and anxiety in those suffering from it.
There are many different manifestations of pain, ranging from short term (acute pain) to long term (chronic pain). Other classifications include pain in the internal organs (visceral pain), injured tissue (inflammatory pain), nerves (neuropathic pain), etc.

The reason for the occurrence of pain depends on the cause and kind of pain being experienced. In most cases, pain acts as a warning sign that the body has been afflicted by a disorder of some sort, which may have arisen due to internal sickness or external wounding. Acute pains are generally cured on their own through rest or simple medication. Chronic pains, on the other hand, are more complicated in nature and the treatment requires more elaborate diagnosis.

The mechanism of pain

Pain is an extremely personal and subjective experience and affects each individual to varying degrees. The pain signals, which can arise in any part of the body, travel through the spinal cord to the brain along thousands of specialized nerves and nerve fibres. In the brain, it is processed in the centres associated with anxiety, emotions, memory, appetite, etc. Signals and pain inputs are then returned from the brain to the spinal cord, which may heighten or diminish pain.

In some cases, pain may also be induced by damage to the brain and spinal cord, which happens after a stroke.
A constant barrage of pain signals may cause the cells at the end of nerve fibres to become over-sensitized. This is known as 'wind-up' and is one of the most common causes of chronic pain that occurs even though the root of the problem has been identified and treated.

The causes and effects of pain differ from case to case depending on the signals received by the brain and its interpretation. It affects the individual's day to day activities and if persistent, can also have a harmful impact on mental health and psychosis. Pain is always handled, diagnosed and treated differently in all patients by drawing out the best possible solution to the problem.





Why does PAIN occur? Understand the Mechanism of Pain

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, commonly called PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs(uterus,fallopian tubules ovaries &cervix). PID is one of the most serious complications of a sexually transmitted disease in women: It can lead to irreversible damage to the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other parts of the female reproductive system, and is the primary preventable cause of infertility in women.

Causes

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria move from the vagina or cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix
Most cases of PID are due to the bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea. These are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The most common way a woman develops PID is by having unprotected sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection.

However, bacteria may also enter the body during some surgical or office procedures, such as:

 	Childbirth
 	Endometrial biopsy
 	Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD)
 	Miscarriage
 	Therapeutic or elective abortion

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease may include:

 	Pain in your lower abdomen and pelvis
 	Heavy vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
 	Irregular menstrual bleeding
 	Pain during intercourse
 	Low back pain
 	Fever, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting
 	Painful or difficult urination

PID may cause only minor signs and symptoms or none at all. Asymptomatic PID is especially common when the infection is due to chlamydia.

Other symptoms that may occur with PID:

 	Bleeding after intercourse
 	Chills
 	Fatigue
 	Frequent or painful urination
 	Increased menstrual cramping
 	Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting
 	Lack of appetite
 	Nausea, with or without vomiting
 	No menstruation
 	Painful sexual intercourse

Diagnosis

 	Pelvic ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create images of your reproductive organs.
 	Endometrial biopsy. During this procedure, a small piece of your uterine lining (endometrium) is removed and tested.
 	Laparoscopy. During this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, lighted instrument through a small incision in your abdomen to view your pelvic organs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis Of It!

During pregnancy a woman s body undergoes constant changes. The entire body tries to accommodate place for the growing uterus as hormones levels drastically fluctuate and ligaments stretched. Pelvic pain and the ensuing discomfort around this time is a common phenomenon experienced by most women. 

Though the pain may be harmless, at times it may also lead to serious repercussions. Therefore the identification of the causes that lead to pelvic pain during pregnancy is crucial. Some of them are: 

1. Accommodation pain: In the initial stages of pregnancy, women may experience cramps which are akin to the pain that precedes menstruation. However, in the case of pregnant women, the pain leads to no bleeding, but in all probability, is caused due to the expansion of the uterus.
2. Round ligament pain: Amidst the host of changes that the body goes through, the ligament that goes from the uterus to the groin also undergoes a change; it expands. This is responsible for the pain in the sides especially when women are walking or getting up from a chair.
3. Baby s weight: As the weight of the fetus begins to increase it exerts a pressure on the nerves that move from the vagina to the legs. This causes a dull pain in the pelvic region which increases considerably with walking and riding a car. This is most commonly felt by women who are in their third trimester.
4. Urinary Tract Infection: According to reports, most women suffer from urinary tract infection or UTI during pregnancy. This results in uncontrolled, often times, bloody urination and a pain in the abdomen. This is a major cause of concern as, if untreated, it infects the kidneys which in turn increases the risk of an early labour.
5. Miscarriage: In the first trimester, a pain in the abdomen may be an indication of a miscarriage. In such a situation, the pain is followed by bleeding and cramps.
6. Early labour: During pregnancy, an intermittent pain in the pelvic area and a back ache can also be suggestive of an early labour. If the contractions continue for over two hours after taking the necessary precautions like urinating and taking rest, it may be a sign of an early labor.

Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy

In medical terms, the pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles in the pelvic area. These muscles provide support to the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus (women), prostate (men), and rectum.

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
This is a medical condition that is used to refer to a situation when you are unable to control the functioning of the pelvic floor. It means you fail to control the bowel movement. People suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction use these muscles to contract rather than to relax. It is for this reason that they cannot have a bowel movement. They often have an incomplete one.

What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
In most of the cases, the exact reason behind this dysfunction is unknown. It is often believed that this condition is caused due to traumatic injuries to the pelvic area. This can happen after an accident and due to complications aroused after vaginal childbirth.

What are the symptoms?
There are several symptoms that are linked to this medical condition. You must visit your doctor if you come across the following signs:

The feel of having several bowel movements within a short period of time.
If you feel that you cannot complete a bowel movement.
When there is constipation pain linked with bowel movements.
A frequent urge to urinate.
Painful urination.
Pain in lower back.
Continuous pain in pelvic region, genitals, or rectum.
Pain during intercourse in women
How is pelvic floor dysfunction diagnosed?
It may be diagnosed through a physical examination by the doctor. You will ask several questions to know the case history and find out the cause. You may also be asked to take pelvic muscle control test by placing surface electrodes on the perineum or sacrum. A small device called a perineometer is also used for the same.

What are the best ways for treating pelvic floor dysfunction?
It can be treated without surgery. There are several techniques. Some of these are as follows:

Biofeedback: It is done with the help of a physical therapist.He uses special sensors to watch and monitor the muscles.
Medication: A low-dose muscle relaxant is prescribed to treat the same.
Relaxation techniques: Your therapist may ask you to take up techniques for relaxation such as warm baths, yoga, and exercises.
Surgery: If your physician finds out that the dysfunction is caused by a rectal prolapse or rectocele, he or she will take up surgery.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction results in Urinary Dysfunction. Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:

Stress Incontinence   when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh
Urge Incontinence   when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pass urine, or soon afterwards
Overflow Incontinence (chronic urinary retention)   when you're unable to fully empty your bladder, which causes frequent leaking
Total Incontinence   when your bladder can't store any urine at all, which causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking
It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which structures such as the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or the vagina itself may begin to prolapse, or fall, out of their normal positions. Without medical treatment or surgery, these structures may eventually fall farther into the vagina or even through the vaginal opening if their supports weaken enough.


Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - What is the Best Way to Treat it?

Are you suffering from chronic pelvic pain? Well, then it is time to consult your doctor. Chronic pelvic pain can be the indication or symptom for other serious disorders. It is often difficult to figure out the exact cause of the pain. Chronic pelvic pain refers to the persistent pain in the pelvic region that has been lasting for over six months. Your doctor needs to carefully examine your symptoms to know the source of the pain.

Here are some of the causes that lead to chronic pelvic pain:

Endometriosis: In this disease, cells that form the lining of the uterus grow abnormally. These cells grow on organs like the ovaries, urinary bladder or rectum. Symptoms that can be accompanied with pelvic pain in Endometriosis.

Pelvic pain or cramps before or during your period
Pain during or post sex
Pain at the time you ovulate
Pain during bowel movements
Rectal bleeding during period
Pain during urination
Lower back pain
Infertility
Spotting in between periods
Bloating
Adenomyosis: This disease is similar to endometriosis. Cells lining the uterus tend to invade the uterus and muscle tissues of the uterine wall. In many cases, women with adenomyosis are devoid of any symptoms. Some of the common symptoms are:

Pain during period
Pressure on bladder or rectum
Massive periods
Long periods
Interstitial Cystitis: Women suffering from interstitial cystitis have inflammation of the urinary bladder. The inflammation is due to any infection. This affects women as a result of their aging. Symptoms:

Need to urinate very often
Discomfort during urination
Pain at the time of sex
Urinary Tract Infection
Bacteria cause urinary tract infections. This, in turn, leads to pelvic pain. Infections can affect any part of the urinary tract. It can also affect the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Urinary tract infections are common in women mainly. Symptoms:

Pressure in lower pelvis
Pain or a burning sensation during urination
Needing to urinate frequently
Cloudy urine
Blood in urine
When to visit a doctor?
It is difficult to know and assess the right time to visit the doctor. But the pain may be very irritating. It can also lead to fatal and chronic disorders. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor if the pain persists for a long period and doesn t vanishes with the home-based remedies or medication. The doctor may conduct lab tests, laparoscopy, or radiological tests to come to a conclusion.

Chronic Pelvic Pain - Common Causes Behind It + Related Symptoms!

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