Recognizing a Common but Often Silent Condition

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles and connective tissues supporting the bladder, uterus, and bowel do not function properly. It affects women of all ages, not only after childbirth or menopause, and often develops gradually.

This guide helps you understand when pelvic floor dysfunction should be considered and how it is properly evaluated.

When to Suspect Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

You should consider evaluation for pelvic floor dysfunction if you experience:

-Urine leakage with coughing, laughing, or exercise
-Urgent or frequent urination
-Difficulty starting or fully emptying the bladder
-Pelvic pressure or a feeling of heaviness
-A sensation of something “bulging” or “falling” vaginally
-Chronic constipation or difficulty emptying the bowel
-Feeling of incomplete bowel movements
-Pain during intercourse or pelvic exams
-Tailbone, vaginal, or rectal pain
-Symptoms that began after childbirth, surgery, or menopause

These symptoms are not normal and are treatable when properly diagnosed.

Why Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Is Often Undiagnosed

Many women remain silent due to embarrassment or assume symptoms are part of aging.
When care is sought, symptoms are often treated separately—bladder, bowel, or pain—without evaluating the pelvic floor as a functional unit.

Routine exams frequently do not assess pelvic floor mechanics, allowing dysfunction to persist undetected.

What Type of Testing Is Most Helpful

Pelvic floor disorders are functional, meaning they occur during movement and strain.

-Static exams may appear normal
-MRI or fluoroscopic tests are invasive and not first-line.
-3D Dynamic Pelvic Floor Ultrasound. First line exam. This advanced ultrasound:

Evaluates pelvic organs in motion
Assesses muscle coordination and support
Identifies prolapse, muscle injury, and dyssynergia
Requires no radiation or contrast
Is performed in a single visit

It allows diagnosis based on mechanism, not symptoms alone.

What to Do Next. If you suspect pelvic floor dysfunction:

1. Do not normalize or hide symptoms

2. Document bladder, bowel, and pain concerns

3. Seek a center experienced in dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound

4. Ask whether the exam evaluates pelvic function, not just anatomy

5. Request a diagnosis that explains the cause of your symptoms
   
   

Pelvic floor dysfunction is common, treatable, and not something you must live with.
Early diagnosis improves outcomes and preserves quality of life.
Silence delays care—knowledge restores control.