Pelvic Floor Function - Common Issues and Treatments

Written By MAUD MEDICAL CLINIC

What Does the Pelvic Floor Actually Do?

The pelvic floor is one of the most overlooked parts of the body, despite how important it is to daily function and overall quality of life. Many people are never taught what the pelvic floor is until they begin experiencing pelvic floor related issues like bladder leakage, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or pressure in the pelvis after pregnancy or with age.

In fact, the pelvic floor is important for much more than bladder control. It is a collection of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that help support the organs inside the pelvis, assist with bowel and bladder function, contribute to sexual wellness, and help stabilize the body during movement. When the pelvic floor is functioning properly, most people do not notice it. When it is not functioning properly, symptoms can affect physical comfort, confidence, and everyday life.

What Is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues located at the bottom of the pelvis. Together, they create a supportive base that helps hold the pelvic organs in place, much like a hammock.

These muscles support structures such as:

  • the bladder

  • the rectum and bowels

  • the uterus and vagina in women

  • the prostate in men

The pelvic floor is constantly working and is engaged during movement, breathing, lifting, exercise, and even simple activities like coughing or laughing.

Why the Pelvic Floor Matters

One of the pelvic floor’s main responsibilities is support. The muscles act almost like a sling or hammock for the pelvic organs, helping them stay positioned properly within the body.

The pelvic floor also helps the body manage pressure. Every time a person sneezes, jumps, runs, or lifts something heavy, pressure increases inside the abdomen. The pelvic floor works together with the core muscles to help manage that pressure and maintain stability.

When the muscles become weak, tight, injured, or poorly coordinated, symptoms may begin to appear.

Bladder and Bowel Control

The pelvic floor plays a major role in continence, meaning control over urination and bowel movements.

The muscles contract to help keep urine and stool contained when appropriate, then relax when it is time to empty the bladder or bowels. When the muscles are not functioning properly, people may notice:

  • leaking urine

  • sudden urgency to urinate

  • constipation

  • difficulty fully emptying the bladder

  • bowel leakage

  • straining during bowel movements

Many people assume these concerns are simply a normal part of aging, childbirth, or being a woman. However, pelvic floor dysfunction is common and often treatable.

At MAUD Medical Clinic, pelvic floor physiotherapy is offered to support concerns related to bladder control, prolapse, pelvic pain, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.

The Pelvic Floor and Core Stability

The pelvic floor is also an important part of the body’s core system.

While many people think of the core as only the abdominal muscles, the body’s deeper stabilization system also includes:

  • the diaphragm

  • deep abdominal muscles

  • spinal stabilizers

  • the pelvic floor

These structures work together to support posture, balance, and movement.

Because of this connection, pelvic floor dysfunction can sometimes contribute to:

  • lower back pain

  • hip discomfort

  • pelvic instability

  • discomfort during exercise

Breathing patterns are also connected to pelvic floor function. During inhalation and exhalation, the diaphragm and pelvic floor naturally move together. Poor breathing mechanics, chronic stress, or muscle tension can sometimes affect how these muscles function.

Sexual Health and the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor also contributes to sexual wellness and comfort.

Healthy pelvic floor muscles help support blood flow, sensation, and muscular coordination in the pelvic region. When these muscles become too tight, weak, or tense, symptoms may include:

  • painful intercourse

  • pelvic tension

  • discomfort with penetration

  • reduced sensation

  • pelvic pain

  • vaginismus

Some people develop what is known as a hypertonic pelvic floor, meaning the muscles are overly tight and unable to fully relax. In these situations, strengthening exercises alone may not be appropriate. Many individuals actually benefit more from relaxation techniques, breathing work, stretching, and guided pelvic floor physiotherapy. Exercises like Kegels, which strengthen the muscles, may worsen symptoms.

When Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Is Misunderstood

One of the challenges with pelvic floor dysfunction is that symptoms are sometimes mistaken for other conditions.

Many people do not realize that pelvic floor muscle tension can create symptoms that feel similar to recurring urinary tract infections or yeast infections. Burning, urinary urgency, pelvic discomfort, and pain with intercourse may continue for months or even years despite repeated negative test results.

In some cases, individuals experiencing vaginismus may spend years searching for answers without realizing the pelvic floor could be involved. Some doctors may even be unaware of the effects of vaginismus, which is why it is important to see a doctor you trust or who specializes in sexual function for your own anatomy. If you are someone with a vagina, see a doctor at Maud Medical Clinic to discuss your pelvic pain or symptoms.

Vaginismus occurs when the pelvic floor muscles tighten involuntarily during attempted penetration. This can make intercourse, tampon insertion, or pelvic exams painful or difficult. Because the symptoms may resemble infection or irritation, the condition is sometimes overlooked or misunderstood.

Patients are often surprised to learn that pelvic floor physiotherapy can be an important part of treatment. By addressing muscle tension, breathing patterns, nervous system regulation, and muscular coordination, many individuals experience meaningful improvements in comfort and quality of life.

At MAUD Medical Clinic’s pelvic floor physiotherapy program, care is offered for concerns including pelvic pain, painful intercourse, vaginismus, and pelvic floor dysfunction in a supportive and compassionate environment.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

Pregnancy and childbirth place significant pressure on the pelvic floor.

As the body changes during pregnancy, the pelvic floor supports increasing weight and pressure. Vaginal delivery can also stretch and strain the muscles and connective tissues in the pelvis.

After childbirth, some individuals may experience:

  • urinary leakage

  • pelvic heaviness

  • prolapse symptoms

  • pelvic pain

  • abdominal weakness

  • discomfort during intercourse

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help support postpartum healing, muscle coordination, and recovery after pregnancy. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can also be helpful to strengthen your muscles to prepare for childbirth, and help with a faster recovery! See a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist at Maud today!

At MAUD Medical Clinic, pelvic floor physiotherapy services include support for pregnancy, postpartum rehabilitation, pelvic pain, and prolapse management.

EMSELLA and Pelvic Floor Strengthening

For some individuals, pelvic floor exercises alone may not feel effective or accessible, especially if symptoms such as bladder leakage, urgency, weakened muscle awareness, or pelvic floor weakness have been present for years. In addition to pelvic floor physiotherapy, newer technologies such as EMSELLA are becoming increasingly popular as non-invasive treatment options for pelvic floor weakness.

At MAUD Medical Clinic’s EMSELLA program, EMSELLA is offered as a treatment designed to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and support bladder and sexual health using High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology.

During treatment, patients remain fully clothed while seated on a specialized chair that delivers electromagnetic stimulation to the pelvic floor muscles. A single session is designed to create thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions over approximately 28 minutes.

EMSELLA is commonly used to support symptoms such as:

  • stress urinary incontinence

  • urge incontinence

  • urinary urgency and frequency

  • weakened pelvic floor muscles

  • postpartum pelvic weakness

  • decreased sexual function

  • pelvic floor deconditioning associated with aging or menopause

One of the reasons many patients are interested in EMSELLA is because it is non-invasive and does not require surgery, internal treatment, or downtime.

At MAUD Medical Clinic, EMSELLA may be combined with pelvic floor education and physiotherapy support to help patients improve pelvic floor awareness, coordination, and strength over time.

Because pelvic floor dysfunction can look different for every person, a proper assessment with a pelvic health professional can help determine whether pelvic floor physiotherapy, EMSELLA, or a combination approach may be most appropriate depending on a person’s symptoms and goals.

Signs You May Benefit From Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Pelvic floor concerns can affect people of all ages. Some common signs that may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction include:

  • leaking urine while coughing, sneezing, or exercising

  • pelvic pressure or heaviness

  • pain during intercourse

  • constipation

  • persistent hip, tailbone, or pelvic pain

  • urinary urgency

  • difficulty emptying the bladder completely

  • discomfort with tampons or pelvic exams

Although these symptoms are common, they are not something people simply have to accept as “normal.”

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help

Pelvic floor physiotherapy focuses on assessing how the muscles are functioning and creating an individualized treatment plan.

Depending on the person’s symptoms and goals, treatment may include:

  • breathing exercises

  • muscle retraining

  • strengthening or relaxation techniques

  • posture and movement education

  • stretching

  • core coordination work

  • biofeedback

  • pelvic floor education

Importantly, not every pelvic floor issue is caused by weakness. Some individuals need strengthening, while others need help learning how to relax overactive muscles.

Pelvic floor therapy is highly individualized because every body and every experience is different.

At MAUD Medical Clinic, pelvic floor physiotherapy is provided in an inclusive environment focused on education, support, and improving pelvic health and overall well-being.

Final Thoughts

The pelvic floor plays a critical role in supporting the body, controlling bladder and bowel function, contributing to sexual wellness, and helping maintain stability during movement.

Despite how common pelvic floor dysfunction is, many people suffer silently or assume their symptoms are simply something they must live with. Greater awareness and education around pelvic health are helping reduce stigma and encouraging more individuals to seek support.

Understanding the pelvic floor is an important step toward improving comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

MAUD MEDICAL CLINIC https://WWW.maudmedical.com
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