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Pelvic Floor Disorders FAQs

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When the muscles that support the pelvic organs become weakened or damaged, pelvic floor disorders can occur. Learn what causes these conditions and how to manage them.

What causes pelvic floor disorders?

Several factors increase the risk of pelvic floor damage, including:

  • Age
  • Nerve damage
  • Obesity
  • Pelvic muscle overuse
  • Pelvic surgery
  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Traumatic pelvic injuries

Are pelvic floor disorders chronic?

If left untreated, pelvic floor disorders can lead to long-term damage, infection, discomfort and other conditions. 

What do pelvic floor spasms feel like?

Pelvic floor muscle spasms can feel like a UTI or bladder infection. Symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty urinating or passing stool
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Painful sex
  • Pelvic pain that spreads to the back or abdomen
  • Slow urine stream

How do you relax pelvic floor muscles?

For healthy women, abdominal breathing and muscle stretches can relax the pelvic region. To practice abdominal breathing:

  • Lie on your back with your knees bent.
  • Put one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest.
  • Inhale deeply for three seconds, visualizing your stomach inflating like a balloon. The hand on your belly should rise.
  • Exhale gently from the chest to the stomach to the pelvic area until all air is released.
  • Repeat daily for five minutes.

Here are a few simple stretches to try while lying on your back:

  • Knee to chest – Bend one knee to your chest and hold 30 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat with the opposite leg.
  • Knee to opposite shoulder – Bring one knee diagonally to your opposite shoulder. Hold 30 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat with the opposite leg.
  • Knee and foot up – Bend your knees, and bring one foot in front of one knee. Hold 30 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat on the opposite side.
  • Knee across the body – Bend your knees, bring one knee across your body and rest it on the floor. Hold 30 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat on the opposite side.

Can pelvic prolapse cause leg pain?

Yes, leg pain is a prolapse symptom. As pelvic organs descend, increased pressure can compress nerves in the legs or back.

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