What leads to a weak pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor muscles form a sling in the pelvis that supports the pelvic organs, allows for bowel and bladder control, supports sexual function, assists with pressure management and circulation, and coordinates with the abdominal and back muscles to provide stability. When these muscles lose strength or endurance, all of those jobs get harder.
Carrying and delivering a baby stretches and loads the pelvic floor. Strength often needs to be rebuilt on purpose, even years later.
Changes in hormones can affect muscle and tissue support in the pelvis, which is one reason symptoms can appear or change during perimenopause and menopause.
Repeated pressure from constipation, a chronic cough, or heavy lifting without good pressure management can strain the pelvic floor over time.
Weakness in the hips, core, and back affects the pelvic floor too. Your evaluation looks at strength, posture, and balance throughout the body.
Sometimes a pelvic floor that feels weak is actually too tight to work well. That is why we evaluate before prescribing exercises, so you do the right work, not just more work.
