Kegel exercises are the key to fix all pelvic floor dysfunction – FALSE
Many people will have symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction at some point during their lifetime. These symptoms can include bladder or bowel symptoms, pelvic pain or sexual issues. Pelvic floor dysfunction can arise because of childbirth, injury, surgery, infection, postmenopausal changes, cancer treatment or medical conditions such as interstitial cystitis or endometriosis. It can also occur without a known cause. Kegel exercises can prevent or control urinary leakage and other pelvic floor problems, but they do not fix all pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic physical therapists give patients a wide range of tools like strength exercises, stretches, relaxation techniques, manual therapy, learning tools, biofeedback and more to guide patients in finding long-term success and freedom from symptoms. Kegel exercises may be a part of the treatment plan for some people but are not the only method of healing pelvic floor dysfunction.
Bladder pain in kids is always from the bladder – FALSE
There are many causes of bladder pain not related to the bladder, especially in kids. They can include:
- Pelvic floor muscle tension
- Abdominal muscle tension
- Constipation
- Stress/anxiety
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp, stabbing vaginal pain
- Sharp, stabbing rectal pain
- Vaginal spasms
- Rectal spasms
- General aching in the pelvis
- Lower abdominal pain and discomfort
- Urinary frequency or urgency
- Pain with emptying bladder or bowel
Treatment may include a mix of education, manual therapy, exercises, bladder and bowel training, diet and lifestyle changes.
Pelvic pain is not always a urinary tract infection – TRUE
Pelvic pain has many causes. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a range of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome. It can feel very similar to the symptoms of a bladder infection.
Some of the more common sources of acute pelvic pain, or pain that happens very suddenly, may include ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that happens outside the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease (also called PID, an infection of the reproductive organs) or twisted or ruptured ovarian cyst. Other conditions such as vaginitis, overactive bladder, kidney stones, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases such as bladder cancer may also cause pelvic pain.