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The Pelvic Floor The pelvic floor refers to the pelvic diaphragm, the sphincter mechanism of the lower urinary tract, the upper and lower vaginal supports, and the internal and external anal sphincters. It is a network of muscles, ligaments and other tissues that hold up the pelvic organs (vagina, rectum, uterus, and bladder). When this system is torn or weakens, the organs may shift, bulge and push outward or against each other.
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As a result, women may suffer from urinary or fecal incontinence or obstruction, vaginal prolapse, vaginal pain, sexual dysfunction, and other problems. Women who vaginally delivered several children and those who experienced tears in the perineum and pelvic floor during childbirth, are at higher risk for pelvic floor disorders. | |
| Additional factors contributing to pelvic floor relaxation include aging, menopause, connective tissue disorders, degenerative neurological conditions, and prior pelvic surgery. Any of these factors or in combination may occur acutely or over time, and result in some of the most common and feared health problems faced by women. |
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