Pelvic Floor Conditions 

Pelvic floor symptoms can present in different ways, and are not always easy to interpret. You may notice a feeling of heaviness or a vaginal bulge, leaking urine with activity, or a sense that things feel different following childbirth.

These symptoms are often related, and can reflect changes in pelvic floor support, bladder function, or recovery after delivery. This page is designed to help you understand what these symptoms might mean, and guide you to more detailed information.

Common Symptoms

  • A feeling of heaviness, something coming down or a vaginal bulge
  • Leaking urine when coughing, laughing or exercising
  • Sudden urgency to pass urine or difficulty holding on
  • Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
  • Bowel symptoms such as difficulty emptying, needing to strain, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation
  • Changes after childbirth, including a feeling of looseness or reduced support
  • A general sense that things don't feel quite right, including changing in confidence or comfort

These symptoms can vary in severity and may overlap, but they are common and often treatable once properly understood

Vaginal Prolapse
A feeling of a bulge, dragging, or heaviness in the vagina, often worse after standing or activity. This can reflect a change in support of the pelvic organs.
Overactive Bladder
A sudden and difficult-to-control urge to pass urine, sometimes with leakage, often associated with needing to go frequently.

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Bowel Symptoms
Difficulty with bowel emptying, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, or needing to strain or support during bowel movements.

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Stress Urinary Incontinence
Leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising.  This is usually related to changes in support of the bladder outlet.

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Pelvic Floor Trauma
Symptoms following childbirth such as changes in support, control, or how things feel, including weakness or altered function of the pelvic floor.

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Bladder Symptoms & Recurrent UTIs
Ongoing bladder discomfort, urgency, or repeated urinary infections that may relate to underlying bladder or pelvic floor function.

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