Many people live with pelvic floor symptoms for years because they assume they're normal. The truth is that while these symptoms may be common, they are often treatable. Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Bria Rubie from San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Adult Rehabilitation Outpatient Center shares six signs you may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy:

1. Urinary Leakage

Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or rush to the bathroom is not something you simply have to live with.

“Urge on the way to the bathroom, coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running, leaking urine is just not normal, but it is common,” said Rubie. “We're happy to work with folks with that.”

2. Frequent Trips to the Bathroom

Needing to urinate more than eight times per day or feeling unable to make it to the bathroom comfortably may indicate pelvic floor dysfunction.

“We should only be urinating every two to four hours and feeling like we can make it to the bathroom each time,” Rubie explained. 

3. Pelvic Pain

Pain in the pelvic region, including pain associated with menstruation, endometriosis, or sexual activity, should not be ignored.

4. Constipation or Bowel Issues

Straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, or alternating between constipation and diarrhea can all be related to pelvic floor dysfunction.

“Ideally, we should be having bowel movements every day. If you're straining for bowel movements, or you have diarrhea or you fluctuate between constipation and diarrhea, that is a common symptom of a pelvic floor dysfunction that we can treat,” Rubie said.

5. Postpartum Recovery Challenges

Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on the body. Pelvic floor therapy can support healing, improve strength, and help women safely return to exercise and daily activities.

“Say, for example that you’ve had a baby and you try and get back into running. You're leaking urine. We can help with improving strategies for movement so that you're getting back into it without having those symptoms,” said Rubie. 

6. Pelvic Pressure or Prolapse Symptoms

A sensation of heaviness, pressure, or bulging may be a sign of pelvic organ prolapse and should be evaluated.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, talk with your healthcare provider about whether pelvic floor physical therapy may be right for you. You can also contact San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Adult Rehabilitation Outpatient Center at 505.609.6575 or visit us online at https://www.sanjuanregional.com/rehabilitation-outpatient-center.