Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - More Common Than You Think

10/28/2025

Some health issues may feel too embarrassing to talk about — but they shouldn’t be. Pain when urinating, frequent and excessive bathroom visits, pelvic pressure, and incontinence are not just signs of aging or normal changes after giving birth. They could be symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, a group of conditions that will affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetimes — yet are often overlooked or misunderstood.

“While pelvic floor disorders are often associated with women, especially after childbirth and menopause, men can also experience pelvic floor dysfunction,” said Marigayle Ohrt, a physical therapist at DeTar Healthcare System. “Our goal is to bring awareness to these conditions and offer compassionate care that helps patients regain function and confidence.”

What Is the Pelvic Floor — and Why It Matters

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and uterus. These muscles play a key role in core stability, continence, and many daily bodily functions. But factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, obesity, pelvic trauma, neurological conditions (like diabetes or stroke), menopause, endometriosis, and irritable bowel syndrome can all contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.

“Even habits like frequently holding in urine or stool, or lifting heavy weights improperly, can strain these muscles over time,” said Ohrt.

Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction May Include:

• Urinary symptoms: Frequent urination, urgency, leakage (incontinence), difficulty starting or stopping urination, and discomfort while urinating
• Bowel symptoms: Constipation, straining, fecal leakage, and feeling of incomplete emptying
• Other symptoms: Pelvic pain or pressure, low back pain, bloating, rectal fullness, and difficulty sitting or standing for long periods

These symptoms can be debilitating — but they’re also treatable.

A Personalized Approach to Care

Physical therapists at DeTar Healthcare System’s Outpatient Rehabilitation work to normalize the muscle tone of the pelvic floor and restore balance between the pelvis, low back, and hips. Treatment may include manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, core strengthening, relaxation techniques, and education on bladder and bowel health.

“Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a conservative, non-surgical treatment option that can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life,” said Ohrt. “No one should have to live with pain, leakage, or discomfort in silence.”

With the right information and proper treatment plan, physical therapy can make a significant difference in pelvic floor function and help restore quality of life. A physician's order is required to participate in this outpatient program.

To learn more about Detar Healthcare System’s outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation programs, please visit www.detar.com/outpatient-services-rehabilitation. Or to find a primary care physician, visit mydetardoctor.com

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