Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Childbirth is a common cause of pelvic floor disorders, which can make life very uncomfortable for women after birth. Along with our experts, PETA DANIEL fills you in on pelvic floor disorders and how you can protect your pelvic floor

- Peta Daniel

Words like ‘prolapse’ and ‘pelvic floor disorder’ can be terrifying to any pregnant woman, but these scary pregnancy-related issues can be avoided should you start preparing early. Cape Town gynaecologists, Dr Peter de Jong and Dr Elmarie Basson, help you to arm yourself with knowledge.

WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR?

The pelvic floor is made up of a range of different parts including the connective tissues, nerves, ligaments and, of course, muscles. The muscles attach to your pubic bone at the front of your pelvis and the tailbone at the back, forming a muscle ‘sling’. These muscles support the bladder, vagina, rectum and uterus. The vaginal opening, anus and urethra all pass through the pelvic floor muscles, and they therefore have a lot to do with the process of giving birth, as well as bladder and bowel control and functioning.

WHAT ARE PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS?

When the muscles, ligaments or connective tissues of the pelvic floor no longer function properly to support the organs above them, the organs can prolapse (or drop down). There are several types of pelvic floor disorders, which include the following:

Lack of bladder control.

Lack of bowel control.

Pelvic organ prolapse, where the organs like the uterus, bowel or bladder drop down into the vagina and cause a bulge to the vaginal canal. A prolapse can be fixed with surgery, but Dr Basson says that doctors only usually recommend it if the patient’s family is complete.

Lack of sexual function due to vaginal laxity.

SYMPTOMS OF PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS

Depending on the type of disorder, symptoms can include:

A constant, urgent need to urinate.

Urine leaking when coughing, sneezing or during exercise.

The bladder not emptying properly when urinating.

A bulge in the vagina or rectum.

Muscle spasms.