Whether you’re feeling completely fine, noticing a few small changes, or moving into a new phase of life, understanding your pelvic floor baseline can help you stay ahead of problems and take charge of your long-term pelvic health. Read on as we discuss the basics, who should get a basic assessment and why, and what to expect with pelvic floor therapy.
What is a pelvic floor baseline?
A pelvic floor baseline is a snapshot of your pelvic floor health as it stands now. Like all aspects of your body and overall health (your blood pressure, cholesterol, muscle mass, etc.), these tissues can change over time. Familiarizing yourself with your pelvic floor health today (whether you have symptoms or not!) can help you better understand any changes in the future.
Physiotherapist and clinical leader Dr. Sarah Clampett, PT, DPT explains:
“Being proactive about your pelvic floor health puts you in the driver’s seat, and that’s just as important as getting help if you have symptoms. We want to help you notice changes early, fix small problems before they become bigger, and gain more confidence in the way your body works.”
What happens during the evaluation of pelvic floor therapy?
During your first visit at Origin, you will meet one-on-one with a certified physical therapist who will ask questions about your pelvic floor health, assess your symptoms (if you have them), and guide you through personalized exercises and self-care strategies. While an in-person visit allows your doctor to provide hands-on care, most of our treatments can be performed virtually and cost as little as $0 per session with insurance.
Our visits start with a lot of listening: about your medical history, pelvic health and symptoms, and goals for therapy. From there, your doctor will perform an external evaluation to view your posture and breathing (in person or virtually) and external pelvic floor tissues (in person). While it can be helpful, an internal pelvic floor assessment is not necessary right away or ever! Your doctor can learn a lot about your pelvic floor muscles from your self-reported symptoms alone.
If you decide you are comfortable with it, an internal review may take place:
- In the clinic: No speculums here! With your permission, your doctor will insert one gloved, lubricated finger into your vagina or rectum to check your pelvic floor muscles. They may ask you to perform some contraction and relaxation movements with your pelvic floor muscles. This will check your pelvic floor strength, coordination, tension and function.
- Virtually: You can perform a self-assessment with your camera turned off in a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom meeting, or on your own time, and report back to your doctor.
After your check-up, your doctor will create a personalized care plan, discuss subsequent sessions and answer any questions you may have. And that’s it, you did it! Your pelvic floor couldn’t be more grateful for the love and care.
Who should get a pelvic floor baseline, and when?
Everyone has a pelvic floor, which means everyone can benefit from a basic pelvic floor exam and physical therapy!
Your pelvic floor is an invisible powerhouse that plays an important role in your overall health and well-being because it helps:
- Support your organs
- Stabilize your core
- Maintain control of your bladder and bowels
- Facilitate reproductive and sexual functioning
- Circulating blood and lymphatic fluid
Even with these important features, it’s easy to overlook or completely ignore the health of your pelvic floor. However, taking care of these muscles can help you prevent future problems or manage and resolve current problems. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is not just for people with serious complaints; it can be helpful long before you even develop symptoms. With this in mind, let’s discuss when to see a pelvic floor therapist.
When you feel good
Are you currently experiencing no leaks, pressure, discomfort or other symptoms? Amazing! By checking in with your symptom-free pelvic floor, you can learn how to keep it that way. A simple pelvic floor checkup, in person or virtually, can help you understand what your “normal” looks like. This way you will quickly recognize if something doesn’t feel right and you can address problems before they become more serious. Preventive pelvic floor care is what it’s all about, and we’re here to help.
When you have minor complaints
Taking care of your health means paying attention to all your pelvic floor complaints, no matter how minor or rare they are! If you’re experiencing symptoms, you’re not alone: pelvic floor dysfunction is common in the trans populationAnd almost a third of women in the US have at least one pelvic floor disorder. It may be time to check in with a pelvic floor physical therapist if you:
- Leaks a little when you sneeze, cough, laugh or exercise
- Feel pain or less sensation during sex
- Feel pressure or heaviness in your pelvis
- Has difficulty urinating or defecating without effort
- Have a sudden urge to urinate or defecate that is difficult to control
- Have trouble holding back gas
Some of these are signs of weak pelvic floor muscles, some are signs of being overactive or tight, and sometimes it’s both! For example, cramping of the pelvic floor muscles can cause painful sex, but the same muscles can also benefit from strength exercises. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess where the starting point of your muscles is and give you the personal support you need.
When you are approaching (or already in) a life transition.
Life consists of different phases and certain transition periods can have a significant impact on the health of your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor muscles can stretch during pregnancy and childbirth, become weaker as you get older, and even become overactive when you’re stressed. Establishing your pelvic floor baseline before these transitions can help you 1) understand your current “normal,” and 2) monitor any changes if/when they occur. Times to consider a pelvic floor check include (but are not necessarily limited to):
The importance of knowing the baseline of your pelvic floor
We know no one likes to make appointments (or if you do, tell us your secret!). That said, adding a quick pelvic floor exam to your schedule helps support your overall health and wellness in so many ways. Benefits of knowing your baseline include:
- Detecting problems early: Common life issues such as menopause, childbirth, obesity, smoking and genetics can all occur increase your risk developing a pelvic floor disorder. Checking your pelvic floor can help you catch early symptoms and prevent small problems from becoming big ones.
- Receive a personalized prevention plan: Whether you experience symptoms or not, pelvic floor physical therapy provides you with a personalized care plan that can help you keep your pelvic floor healthy and functional.
- Provide a benchmark for future comparison: Our bodies are constantly changing and adapting; Understanding your pelvic floor today will give you a reference point for any changes that may occur tomorrow.
- Restore some peace of mind: Your pelvic floor health doesn’t have to be a mystery! Pelvic floor physiotherapy allows you to connect with your body, appreciate what it does and get support where it is needed.
Inform yourself about the health of your pelvic floor
Supporting your pelvic floor doesn’t have to be scary or difficult, and we’re here to make sure it isn’t! Getting a basic checkup is a quick way to take care of yourself and your pelvic floor and help you prevent problems before they start. Book an appointment If you’re ready to get started, contact us today for just $0 per session with insurance.
Sources
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Kenne, Kimberly A., et al. “Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Adult Women Seen in a Primary Care Setting and Associated Risk Factors.” Scientific Reports, vol. 12, no. 1, June 14, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-13501-w.
van Reijn-Baggen, Daniëlle A., et al. “Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy for Pelvic Floor Hypertonicity: A Systematic Review of Treatment Efficacy.” Sexual Medicine Reviews, Vol. 10, no. June 2, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.03.002.
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Wallace, Shannon L., et al. “Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Women.” Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 31, no. 6, December 2019, pp. 485–493, urology.stanford.edu/content/dam/sm/urology/JJimages/publications/Pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-in-the-treatment-of-pelvic-floor-dysfunction-in-women.pdf, https://doi.org/10.1097/gco.0000000000000584.
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