The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and other tissues that form a sling or hammock across the pelvis. In women, it holds the uterus, bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs in place so that they can work properly. The pelvic floor can become weak or be injured. The main causes are pregnancy and childbirth. Other causes include being overweight, radiation treatment, surgery, and getting older.Common symptoms includeFeeling heaviness, fullness, pulling, or aching in the vagina. It gets worse by the end of the day or during a bowel movement.Seeing or feeling a "bulge" or "something coming out" of the vaginaHaving a hard time starting to urinate or emptying the bladder completelyHaving frequent urinary tract infectionsLeaking urine when you cough, laugh, or exerciseFeeling an urgent or frequent need to urinateFeeling pain while urinatingLeaking stool or having a hard time controlling gasBeing constipatedHaving a hard time making it to the bathroom in timeYour health care provider diagnoses the problem with a physical exam, a pelvic exam, or special tests. Treatments include special pelvic muscle exercises called Kegel exercises. A mechanical support device called a pessary helps some women. Surgery and medicines are other treatments. NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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