Enhancing Fertility with Pelvic Floor Therapy
Fertility struggles are more prevalent than ever in the United States. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized type of therapy that optimizes the relationship of the muscles, bones, joints, and organs within the pelvis. The purpose of this blog post is to explain how pelvic floor therapy can positively impact fertility.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is an intricate relationship between the organs – the ovaries, uterus, bladder, and rectum – the muscles, the boney structure, and the nerves within the pelvis. These structure in the pelvis all interact with one another and can have both a positive and negative influence on each other. A healthy pelvic floor is crucial for optimal fertility.
The Connection Between Pelvic Health and Fertility
Fertility can be compromised when pelvic health is at a less than favorable state. Pelvic floor dysfunction can potentially impact menstrual cycles, ovulation, and reproductive organs. Here's how:
Menstrual Cycles: Irregular or painful menstrual cycles can be influenced by pelvic floor dysfunction. When the pelvic floor muscles are tight, imbalanced, or weakened, they can apply pressure on nearby structures, including the uterus. This pressure can result in discomfort and potentially lead to irregular menstrual cycles. Pain during menstruation, known as dysmenorrhea, may also be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.
Ovulation: The process of ovulation, where the ovaries release an egg for potential fertilization, can be affected by pelvic floor dysfunction. Imbalances in the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to tension and tightness in the pelvis, potentially impacting the proper functioning of the reproductive organs. This tension can hinder the release of an egg and affect the regularity of ovulation.
Reproductive Organs: Pelvic floor dysfunction can exert pressure on the reproductive organs, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This pressure can lead to discomfort or even displacement of the organs, potentially affecting their function. In severe cases, it may interfere with the passage of the egg through the fallopian tubes or the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.
Blood Flow: Proper blood circulation to the reproductive organs is crucial for their health and function. Pelvic floor dysfunction can restrict blood flow to the pelvic region, potentially leading to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the reproductive organs. This can affect the health of the ovaries and the uterine lining, which is essential for a successful pregnancy.
Scar Tissue and Adhesions: In some cases, conditions such as endometriosis or prior pelvic surgeries can lead to the formation of scar tissue or adhesions in the pelvic area. These adhesions can cause pain, restrict organ movement, and potentially block fallopian tubes, affecting fertility. Pelvic floor therapy may help address pain and muscle tension associated with these adhesions.
Pelvic floor therapy can play a supportive role in addressing these issues by promoting proper muscle function, reducing tension, and improving blood flow to the pelvic region. This can help create a more favorable environment for regular menstrual cycles, healthy ovulation, and the optimal functioning of reproductive organs.
Common Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction an occur due to various factors or a combination of factors. Let’s discuss some of the more common contributing factors to pelvic floor dysfunction. This list is by no means conclusive, but some of the common causes.
Childbirth: The process of pregnancy and childbirth can strain the pelvic floor muscles, leading to dysfunction. Vaginal childbirth, especially if it's traumatic or involves forceps or vacuum extraction, can increase the risk.
Pregnancy: The increased weight and pressure on the pelvic area during pregnancy has a major impact on the pelvic floor muscles. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also affect these muscles.
Menopause: The natural process of aging and menopause can cause a decrease in muscle tone and tissue elasticity, including those in the pelvic floor. Menopause also can cause changes to vaginal moisture which can then contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Chronic Constipation: Straining during bowel movements due to chronic constipation can cause the pelvic floor muscles to weaken or become dysfunctional over time.
Chronic Coughing: Conditions that result in persistent coughing can place excess strain the pelvic floor muscles.
Surgery: Certain surgeries, such as prostate surgery in men or gynecological procedures in women, can affect the pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic Trauma: Traumatic injuries to the pelvic area, such as from accidents or falls, can cause the pelvic floor to weaken, tighten, or sometimes both.
Psychological Factors: Stress and anxiety can lead to muscle tension. The pelvic floor is one of the first areas of the body to react to external stressors in our life.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: What Is It?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized type of therapy that focuses on treatment of pelvic floor conditions. Pelvic floor therapy is not limited to a particular gender or age group. It can benefit both men and women experiencing a variety of conditions. Pediatrics and teens can also benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy.
Pelvic floor therapists have advanced training in evaluation and treatment of intimate pelvic floor conditions. The therapists are trained to evaluate the pelvic floor muscles which can be done by external or internal (vaginal or rectal) assessment. Because the pelvic floor muscles interact with the rest of our body in such an intricate way, the therapist will also evaluate the surrounding areas to determine the root cause of the issue.
Treatment in pelvic floor therapy can include a number of techniques including manual therapy, strengthening or stretching exercises, self-care or lifestyle modifications and education.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Enhance Fertility
Specific to fertility, pelvic floor therapy can optimize the function of the pelvic floor muscles and improve the relationship of the muscles to the surrounding organs, fascia and connective tissue. Pelvic floor therapy works to:
Improve pelvic muscle strength and tone.
Enhance blood flow to the reproductive organs.
Reduce pelvic pain and discomfort.
Address scar tissue or adhesions from prior surgeries or conditions.
The Role of Stress Reduction
Stress can have a significant effect of fertility as well. The problem with fertility issues is they are stressful. More fertility troubles can result in more stress. This can become a vicious cycle. If your pelvic floor therapist determines stress may be in excess, therapy can often include stress-reduction techniques as well. A less-stressed nervous system can result in a more relaxed and fertile state for our body.
Next Steps
Pelvic floor therapy should be individualized to fit your specific body, lifestyle and goals. There is no “cookie cutter” treatment plan for those experiencing fertility struggles who might have pelvic floor dysfunction. It is important when seeking a pelvic floor therapy provider, to find one who has advanced training specific to fertility. Refer to our previous blog post here on how to find a skilled pelvic floor therapist.
Infertility is complex and oftentimes multifactorial. There is a different solution and treatment plan for each individualized women experiencing fertility struggles. Pelvic floor therapy is one of many treatment options.
Further reading on this topic can be found at the following links:
https://www.southernpelvichealth.com/blog/trying-to-get-pregnant-pelvic-pt-can-help
https://www.ladybirdpt.com/post/canpelvicfloorptoptimizefertility
