Pelvic Floor Weakness

What is a Pelvic Floor Weakness?

Many people become aware that their muscles aren’t quite as firm in the pelvis as time goes by. Often this is brought about through childbirth, but men may also suffer symptoms. Previous surgery in this area, or accidents, can also lead to longer term problems.

Although most people associate pelvic floor problems with gynaecology and prolapse of the womb, bowel symptoms are exceedingly common. There is much overlap, and people with a known weakness, either gynaecological or urological (bladder) often have symptoms affecting their bowels.

Symptoms are often difficult for people to put into words, but a dragging sensation is common, or a feeling that things have ‘slipped’ or are ‘falling down’. This feeling may be quite uncomfortable, and described as pain, often worse after intercourse. More specifically, there is difficulty in emptying the bowels satisfactorily. Often patients strain on the lavatory with little result, and return again several times because they feel the emptying is incomplete.

They may use different ways of helping the bowels open, such as laxatives, suppositories or other manoeuvres to help the stool to pass. In addition, they may notice excess mucus with the bowel movement and occasionally rectal bleeding, though these symptoms may be a sign of more serious problems and need investigating carefully.

Often other conditions need to be ruled out, since piles or even cancers may present themselves in similar ways. This requires careful assessment by a specialist with an interest in all these conditions and may require a form of endoscopy. For pelvic floor weakness, other tests may be necessary, and a consultation is recommended.

At Nucleus Healthcare we are privileged to have Mr Simon Phillips working with us, a specialist consultant surgeon with an interest in pelvic floor weakness, complex bowel disorders and related problems.

For further information or to book an appointment call 01633 815900.