5 Surprising Signs Your Pelvic Floor May Need Help
When people hear “pelvic floor therapy,” they often think of new moms doing Kegels. But there’s so much more to it – and pelvic floor dysfunction can affect people across all ages and genders.
Here are five surprising signs that your pelvic floor might need attention:
- You leak when you sneeze, laugh, or exercise — That little “dribble” isn’t just a normal part of getting older. It’s a signal your pelvic floor muscles might not be doing their job.
- You feel pressure or a “falling out” sensation – This can be a sign of pelvic organ prolapse, which is treatable through the right exercises, strategies, and support.
- You experience pain with intercourse — This is common but not normal. Tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles are often the culprit and can be treated with physical therapy.
- You have difficulty pooping — Chronic constipation or the need to strain may be related to how your pelvic floor muscles are coordinating (or not coordinating) with your bowel.
- You’ve been told everything looks “normal” but you still don’t feel right — Sometimes, symptoms are dismissed because imaging or exams don’t show a clear issue. That doesn’t mean your experience isn’t real — and it doesn’t mean nothing can be done.
If any of these sound familiar, you deserve answers — and solutions. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help you understand what’s going on and how to feel better in your own body.