As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I get an insider’s view into the issues many women (and men) face that are often neglected, misunderstood, or simply accepted as “normal.” It’s my job to remind my patients—and my friends—that many of these issues can and should be addressed. There’s no reason to suffer in silence or brush off symptoms that are not only frustrating but can affect your quality of life. Here are five things I wouldn’t let my friends deal with if I had anything to say about it.
1. Painful Sex
Pain during sex is often dismissed as something women just have to “get used to,” but let me tell you—pain is never normal. Whether it’s vaginal, pelvic, or lower back pain, this could indicate pelvic floor dysfunction, tight muscles, or even scar tissue from childbirth or surgery. Many women silently endure it, but as a therapist, I always urge my friends to seek help. Pelvic floor therapy can work wonders in resolving this pain and making intimacy enjoyable again.
2. Chronic Constipation
Struggling to go to the bathroom should not be part of your daily routine. Chronic constipation is often linked to pelvic floor dysfunction, specifically when the muscles in your pelvic floor are either too weak or too tight, preventing proper coordination. People don’t often associate constipation with the pelvic floor, but it’s a common issue I treat regularly. If my friends are relying on laxatives or straining to go, I’m quick to remind them that they don’t have to live that way.
3. Leaking When You Laugh, Cough, or Exercise
It’s shocking how many women joke about leaking urine, especially after having kids, as if it’s a normal part of aging or motherhood. In reality, urinary incontinence is a sign that your pelvic floor muscles aren’t functioning as they should. Whether it’s stress incontinence (leaking during exercise, sneezing, or laughing) or urge incontinence (sudden overwhelming need to go), this is a fixable problem. Kegels aren’t always the answer, but pelvic floor therapy can help strengthen and retrain the muscles to eliminate leaks for good.
4. Back and Hip Pain with No Clear Cause
Chronic low back pain or hip pain is one of those frustrating issues that can sometimes be traced back to pelvic floor dysfunction. If my friends mention persistent pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments, I immediately think about the pelvic floor as a potential culprit. Pelvic muscles play a big role in stabilizing the spine and pelvis, and if they’re out of sync, it can manifest as pain in areas seemingly unrelated to the pelvis. With targeted exercises, this pain can be significantly reduced.
5. Postpartum Body Changes That Go Unaddressed
As much as we celebrate the postpartum period as a time of bonding and recovery, many women struggle with postpartum issues that are swept under the rug. Whether it’s diastasis recti (abdominal separation), pelvic organ prolapse, or lingering pain from a C-section or episiotomy, these are all things I wouldn’t let my friends ignore. Postpartum rehabilitation is crucial, and pelvic floor therapy can help restore strength, alignment, and function after childbirth.
The pelvic floor is an integral part of your core and overall well-being, yet so many people don’t realize just how much it affects their daily lives. As a pelvic floor therapist, my mission is to empower my friends, family, and patients to seek help for these issues instead of suffering through them. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms I mentioned, I strongly encourage you to reach out to a specialist—it’s your right to live without pain, leakage, or discomfort. You don’t have to deal with it, and I wouldn’t let you!