20 Early Signs of Pelvic

Floor Dysfunction

Presented by the Pelvic Health Transformation

Program, World Integrated Systems in Health and
Dr. Sandra Bevacqua
 20 Early Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor issues can affect women at any

age.

1. If you find yourself leaking a drop or two of

urine when laughing, sneezing, jumping, lifting,
or running down stairs, then you may be experi-
encing urinary stress incontinence. This is the
most common issue associated with the pelvic
floor, so you are not alone! Stress incontinence
can be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles or lack of support in
the pelvic bowl, which can be remedied with individualized exer-
cises specifically meant to strengthen the weakened tissues.
2. If you wake up more than once to urinate during the night
you may be suffering from an overactive bladder and/or urinary
urge incontinence. These occur usually as a result of bladder in-
flammation, bladder prolapse or rarely due to nerve damage along
the neural pathway from the bladder to the brain.
3. Another indication of an overactive
bladder can be the urge to urinate even
after you have already relieved your-
self. This can also be associated with
bladder infection which is accompanied
with the feeling of burning during urina-
tion.

© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.

4. Feeling like there’s some-
thing in your vagina when you
know there’s nothing there could
be symptomatic of an organ
prolapse (falling into the vaginal
space). A low bladder or cysto-
cyle is the most common
prolapse but when the supportive
structures and connective tissues
of the pelvic bowl or vaginal
walls are weakened, the bladder,
vaginal vault, intestines, rectum,
or uterus may shift, fall into, or push on the vaginal wall down
and out of the body.
5. Noticing that the cervix is easier to find or lower than it used
to be is normal after vaginal childbirth and even during a period,
however if it doesn’t resolve within days, it may be a symptom of
uterine prolapse. Birth affects the elasticity of the vaginal tissues
and organs may press against the vaginal wall and cervix.

6. A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis may be an-

other indication of prolapse or organs that are out of place. If you
are experiencing this, DO NOT ignore this symptom.

7. Feeling discomfort or pain around the vagina or anus when

sitting. This is an experience that can affect women of all ages
and should not be considered a normal part of the aging process.
By engaging in exercises that balance the pelvic floor muscles,
you may be able to easily eliminate the pain.

© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.

 8. Experiencing a slight discom-
fort or a momentary pinch of
pain during or after inter-
course. The discomfort and pain
associated with pelvic floor dys-
function can seriously impact your
quality of life and sexual health.
Many doctors are quick to suggest
surgery and even perform harmful
surgeries during childbirth
(episiotomy), which may result in
long-lasting pain not only during
intercourse, but also in day-to-day
life.
9. Noticing that the vaginal open-
ing is wider than it was before you had your baby is a common
issue after childbirth or trauma as the elasticity of the vaginal tis-
sues may be compromised. However there are specific exercises
and natural remedies that have been proven to renew and rejuve-
nate the delicate vaginal tissues.
10. If you are noticing occasional spotting from the vagina that
is not associated with menses, it may be a symptom of inflam-
mation of the reproductive organs associated with hormonal im-
balance, sexual difficulty or irritated scar tissue.
11. Noticing a small spot of bowel movement in your under-
wear or near the vaginal opening is an early symptom of rectal
prolapse and possible bowel incontinence. By balancing the pel-
vic floor muscles and tissues, you can begin to reverse the effects
of prolapse.
© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.
12. If you have an unexplained tendency towards constipation
your pelvic floor relaxation mechanism may not be working prop-
erly. This may be caused by weaken muscles in the front portion
of the pelvic floor. This is sometimes associated with tight and
sometimes painful muscles in the back of the pelvic floor which
restrict the normal functioning of the anus and rectum and restrict
the normal signals and release of the bowels.
13. Feeling that the rectum is not completely emptying prop-
erly after a bowel movement. This may be a sign that the rectum
is not positioned properly. In some cases the rectum can become
so lax that it folds in half making it very difficult to empty any
part of the rectum above the fold.
14. If you notice a lumps when touching the back wall of your
vagina, that could be bowel movement. You may be experiencing
vaginal wall atrophy or the beginnings of a rectal prolapse. Vagi-
nal atrophy means that the vaginal wall has become very thin al-
lowing you to actually feel the bowel movement as it collects in
the rectum.
15. Finding it much easier to evacuate bowel movement when
leaning far forward while sitting on the toilet. When the rectum
prolapses is may become folded over or doubled up. Many
women find that leaning forward allows for easier and more com-
plete eliminations. While waiting for
help with this issue, consider using a
stool in the bathroom to prop up the
feet as it can help support the rectum
during bowel movements.

© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.

16. Using splinting during elimination. Women may feel the need
to insert a finger in the vagina and push back towards the rec-
tum in order to have a complete bowel movement.

17. Feeling a pulling or stretching in the groin area or a persis-

tent low grade backache is an indication of weakened pelvic
floor muscles and may be a result of muscles and ligaments either
high or low in the pelvic bowl trying to compensate for a weak-
ened segment of the pelvic floor. These tissues will work hard to
support your internal organs on their own even if they’re not get-
ting the help they need from below.
18. Having gas pass from the vagina or having difficulty hold-
ing flatulence. This is usually associated with weakened vaginal
walls, perineum, rectum and anus. It is usually the result of incor-
rect hormone balancing following menopause.

© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.

19. Achiness or pain in the abdomen that increases over time
when standing. This symptom can be caused by a structural prob-
lem such as a prolapsing uterus, vaginal vault, intestine or bladder
or may be due to an inflammatory condition such as Vaginitis
(bacterial or yeast), Endometriosis, Appendicitis or ruptured ap-
pendix, IBS, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease or Diverticulitis, UTI, Pain-
ful Bladder Syndrome or Interstitial Cystitis

20. Sitting on one hip because it is too painful to sit on both.

This is a very common issue and indicates
that there are muscular spasms that will in-
volve the pelvic floor and other muscle
groups in the immediate area. The pelvic
floor is, however, the key or the center of all
the muscular balance in this area. It is essen-
tial to get the muscles of the pelvic floor to
balance in order to get the hip pain to re-
solve.

Note: Pay very close attention to any of the above symptoms

that worsen towards the end of the day.

© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.

 Dr. Sandra Bevacqua’s revolutionary
Pelvic Health Transformation Pro-
gram addresses all of these symptoms
and more in a loving and effective
manner that will help you gain more
confidence, vitality and eliminate
these issues once and for all!
With her extensive knowledge and
experience, Dr. Sandy is able to guide
you on a journey to better understand
the ergonomics of the pelvic floor, to
relieving pain and discomfort associated with pelvic floor dys-
function, and to understanding the subtle mechanics of strengthen-
ing and relaxing the tissues in the pelvic floor while getting your
organs functioning properly and back to the places they belong.
You’ll learn about the beauty and complexity of your body and
will become more deeply engaged with self-love. Through this
program you will learn to identify areas of weakness in the pelvis
and learn exactly what to do to bring your pelvic floor back into
an physical and energetic balance.
If you have any questions or concerns and you’re not sure
what to do, please call and schedule a free 15 minute consult
with me. Even if you are not right for our program, I’m happy to
get you started in the right direction or help in any way I can.
World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC
Dr. Sandra Bevacqua
520-743-0575
www.PelvicBowlofSteel.com
© 2015 World Integrated Systems in Health, LLC.