Is Your Pelvic Floor Holding You Back? Discover Why It Matters!

The pelvic floor is one of the most overlooked yet vital parts of the human body. It’s a hammock-like network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that stretch across the base of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, uterus (in women), rectum, and prostate (in men).

These muscles play a critical role in maintaining control over essential functions like urination, bowel movements, and sexual health.

When functioning correctly, we hardly notice them. But when something goes wrong, such as with incontinence or prolapse, it becomes glaringly obvious just how crucial the pelvic floor is.

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) can manifest in many ways, from embarrassing leaks when you sneeze or laugh to more severe conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, where organs descend from their normal position.

Additionally, PFD often coexists with other conditions like chronic lower back pain, hip pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and painful intercourse, making it a more widespread issue than most realize.

Unfortunately, the pelvic floor is rarely discussed openly, leaving many people feeling isolated and ashamed of their symptoms. The silence surrounding PFD perpetuates the misconception that these issues are just "part of getting older" or an inevitable consequence of childbirth.

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With the right attention and care, pelvic floor health can be restored, allowing you to regain control over your body and improve your quality of life.

The pelvic floor is a critical, yet often overlooked, part of our anatomy. It's a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that stretch across the base of the pelvis, forming a supportive "hammock."

This muscle group supports the bladder, uterus (in women), rectum, and prostate (in men), playing a key role in controlling some of the body's most essential functions, including urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.

The pelvis itself is more than just a skeletal structure—it’s the foundation of our entire body's mobility and stability. The pelvic floor muscles work alongside other major muscle groups, like the glutes and psoas, to support not only our pelvic organs but also the alignment and movement of the spine and legs.

Whether you're walking, running, or simply standing upright, your pelvic floor is actively involved, providing support from below, while the surrounding muscles, tendons, and fascia contribute from above.

For women, the pelvic floor also plays a significant role in childbirth, where flexibility and strength are vital for a smooth birthing process and postpartum recovery.

A strong, functional pelvic floor helps keep everything in balance, from posture to organ support.

But when these muscles weaken or become dysfunctional, problems arise—and it’s often only when something goes wrong that we truly realize how crucial they are.

So, what happens when the pelvic floor isn’t working properly? Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) can show up in various ways, and many of them are unfortunately common yet often dismissed.

You may notice a small leak of urine when you laugh, sneeze, or jump—a sign that your pelvic floor muscles are struggling to keep up. Over time, these leaks can worsen, resulting in urinary incontinence that interferes with everyday life.

In more severe cases, pelvic organ prolapse can occur. This happens when the bladder, uterus, or rectum starts to descend, pressing against the vaginal walls and causing feelings of heaviness, pressure, or even visible bulging. In extreme cases, the organs may protrude outside the body, creating significant discomfort and distress.

Beyond these symptoms, PFD can also cause chronic lower back pain, hip pain, and even jaw tension (TMJ). This happens because the pelvic floor works in concert with the core muscles to stabilize the spine and pelvis.

When this system is compromised, other muscles and joints are forced to compensate, leading to widespread pain and dysfunction.

Pelvic floor dysfunction rarely exists in isolation. Many people with PFD also struggle with coexisting conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or interstitial cystitis (IC).

IBS can cause bowel irregularities like constipation or diarrhea, both of which put extra strain on the pelvic muscles. IC is a chronic bladder condition that causes frequent urination and discomfort, often confused with a urinary tract infection. However, the real culprit may be overly tight pelvic floor muscles.

For women, painful intercourse (dyspareunia) is another common issue, causing discomfort during sex that can range from sharp, stabbing pain to a deep ache. Men with PFD might experience erectile dysfunction or pain during ejaculation.

What’s more, the emotional toll of pelvic floor dysfunction is profound. Feelings of shame, isolation, and frustration are common, as people often find it difficult to talk about their symptoms.

But ignoring these issues only allows them to worsen over time, turning a manageable problem into a life-altering one.

The symptoms of PFD are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Leaking urine, feeling heaviness in your pelvis, or experiencing pelvic pain are not just inconveniences—they are signs that your pelvic support system needs attention.

Ignoring them or accepting them as a normal part of aging can allow the problem to progress, leading to more severe prolapse, chronic pain, and worsening incontinence.

The key message here is simple: these symptoms are not a normal part of life, and you don’t have to live with them. With the right care, it’s possible to restore function, relieve pain, and regain control of your body.

Read more on how to identify symptoms here

Pelvic floor dysfunction doesn’t just appear overnight—it’s often the result of years of strain, impaired circulation, and scar tissue buildup.

Whether it’s from pregnancy, childbirth, or repeated physical stress, this scar tissue robs the pelvic floor of its vitality and flexibility. While childbirth and menopause can trigger symptoms, they are not the root causes.

The real issue lies in how the pelvic floor responds to stress, and how we care for it during these life changes.

Pregnancy can certainly put pressure on the pelvic floor, but it’s not motherhood itself that causes dysfunction—it’s the scar tissue and weakened muscles that form after delivery. With proper care and circulation-focused exercises, these muscles can regain their strength and function.

The same goes for menopause. Hormonal shifts might cause a loss of elasticity in the pelvic muscles, but this is a natural process, not a disaster. With the right practices, even through menopause, women can maintain a healthy, functional pelvic floor.

Read more here

Despite how common pelvic floor dysfunction is, it remains a subject rarely talked about openly. This silence stems from embarrassment, a lack of awareness, and the trivialization of women’s health issues.

The result? Many women (and men) feel isolated, suffering in silence and ashamed of their symptoms.

Doctors often tell women that leaking or pelvic pain is just part of aging or childbirth and that they should "learn to live with it." This dismissive attitude perpetuates the silence, making people feel as

though they have no option but to accept their symptoms.

But this isn’t true. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a serious condition that can drastically affect quality of life, and it deserves real attention and care.

By breaking the silence and speaking openly about these issues, we can start to shift the narrative, empowering people to seek help and improve their health.

Your pelvic floor isn’t just a set of muscles—it’s a key component of your overall well-being. Ignoring its health can lead to a cascade of issues, but by taking action and addressing dysfunction early, you can prevent long-term complications.

Whether you're dealing with leaks, pain, or a sense of heaviness, your symptoms are worth addressing. And remember, you’re not alone. By starting your healing journey, you can regain control over your body, your health, and your life.

As part of your pelvic health journey, we introduce the HEAL method—a proven approach to restoring pelvic floor function. HEAL stands for Holistic, Empowered, Aligned, and Liberated, which focuses on treating the root causes of dysfunction, rather than just managing symptoms.

By taking our free pelvic health assessment, you'll not only receive a personalized Pelvic Health Score but also gain access to tailored insights on how the HEAL method can work for you. Discover how a comprehensive, empowering approach can guide you towards lasting pelvic freedom—get your score now and start healing from the inside out.