The main weak pelvic floor symptoms are small leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise, a heavy feeling in the pelvis and trouble reaching the bathroom in time. These signs are common and treatable, and the FDA says about 1 in 4 women have a pelvic floor disorder at some point. Men can have them too.
The guide below covers the signs, the causes, how to tell a weak pelvic floor from a tight one, and what helps. It draws on the FDA, NIH MedlinePlus, Victoria’s Better Health Channel and Cleveland Clinic. It also explains when to see a doctor.
Weak Pelvic Floor Symptoms: What You May Notice
Pelvic floor weakness is common, and these are the signs the sources list most often.
Your pelvic floor is the layer of muscle at the base of the pelvis. It holds the bladder, bowel and, in women, the uterus in place. It also supports bladder control, bowel control and sexual function, says the FDA.
Open each row to see what a sign may mean and a sensible next step.
Leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise Start with habits
Leaking is the sign named most often. The FDA, MedlinePlus and Better Health all list it.
Leaks can respond to daily habits and pelvic floor exercises. Mention it at your next checkup, and see the section on what helps.
A sudden urge, or trouble making it to the bathroom Talk to a doctor
MedlinePlus lists an urgent or frequent need to urinate and a hard time making it to the bathroom in time.
Bladder training and pelvic floor exercises are common first steps (FDA). A doctor can also check for other causes.
A heavy, full, pulling or aching feeling, or a bulge See a doctor soon
The FDA says it often builds through the day and with a bowel movement. A bulge, or a feeling that something is coming out of the vagina, can mean organs sit lower than usual. This is called prolapse.
See a doctor before you start any wellness service. Prolapse is treatable, with options from exercises to a support device called a pessary (FDA, MedlinePlus).
Trouble starting urine, emptying your bladder, or repeat bladder infections See a doctor soon
MedlinePlus names trouble starting your stream and not fully emptying your bladder. Better Health lists recurrent urinary tract infections.
Other conditions can cause both, so they are worth a checkup.
Gas or stool leaks Talk to a doctor
The FDA, MedlinePlus and Better Health list leaking stool or trouble controlling gas.
Many people stay quiet because of embarrassment, the FDA says, but it is treatable.
A tampon that slips, or pain with sex Talk to a doctor
Better Health lists tampons that dislodge, pain with sex and vulval pain among the signs.
Pain can mean the muscles are too tight rather than too weak, so ask a clinician which it is. The weak-or-tight section below helps you tell the difference.
These signs overlap, so use the list to start a conversation with your doctor or therapist, not to diagnose yourself. When you are ready to explore a wellness option, see StarFormer IntimaWave in Fenton.
What Causes Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles? Risk Factors by Life Stage
MedlinePlus points to pregnancy and childbirth as the biggest causes of a weakened pelvic floor. Weight, radiation treatment, surgery and aging also play a part. The stages below show where each risk tends to appear.
So at what age do pelvic floor muscles weaken? There is no single age. The sources point to life events and long-term pressure, and the risk grows with age and after menopause.
Cleveland Clinic adds that experts do not know the exact cause in every case. A past event is not always the reason.
Weak or Tight Pelvic Floor? How to Tell the Difference
People often search for “weak” when their muscles are actually tight, and the two need different care. Better Health says strong muscles are flexible muscles. It also says a pelvic floor can be weak and overactive at the same time.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Often points to weakness | Often points to tightness | |
|---|---|---|
| What you may notice | Leaking with a cough, sneeze or exercise, or a heavy or bulging feeling (FDA, MedlinePlus). | Straining to pass stool, starting and stopping while you urinate, pelvic pain or pain with sex (Cleveland Clinic). |
| Bowel and bladder | Gas or stool leaks, or a sudden urge (MedlinePlus). | Constipation. Cleveland Clinic estimates that up to half of those with chronic constipation also have a pelvic floor problem. |
| What it usually needs | Daily habits and strengthening exercises (FDA). | Relaxation work, often guided by a pelvic floor physical therapist (Cleveland Clinic). |
| Who can tell | A clinician can check, and some people have both. | A clinician can check, and some people have both. |
Here is a simple rule of thumb, not a diagnosis. If pushing, straining or pain leads your list, start with a clinician before any strengthening plan. If leaking leads, daily habits and exercises are a common place to begin.
How to Fix a Weak Pelvic Floor: What Helps
Pelvic floor problems are treatable. The FDA says treatment ranges from lifestyle changes to non-surgical and surgical options, depending on how serious the problem is.
Start at the top and move down with your doctor’s advice.
Where a Wellness Option Fits: Pelvic Floor Sessions at Our Spa
Some people add a seated, non-invasive pelvic floor session to their routine once a doctor has ruled out other causes. Our StarFormer IntimaWave uses a magnetic field from coils in the seat and backrest to make the pelvic floor muscles contract. You sit fully clothed for a 30-minute session.
IntimaWave is a wellness service for building pelvic floor strength, and it is open to women and men. It works on muscle strength alongside a doctor’s care, and individual results vary. A bulge, an infection or a bladder that will not empty needs a doctor’s care first.
Check with your doctor before booking if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device, have metal implants in the hips, pelvis or lower spine, or have had pelvic surgery in the last few months. Our consultation screens for each of these.
A session works in four steps:
- A consultation covers your health history and your goals, and sets how many visits make sense.
- You sit down fully clothed, and nothing touches your skin.
- The intensity starts low and is adjusted to your comfort.
- Rhythmic muscle contractions run for about 30 minutes, then you go back to your day.
Our owner, Sarah Hankammer, is a licensed massage therapist (Missouri license 2015027635).
Our IntimaWave guide explains how a session works and who needs a doctor’s okay first. You can also see StarFormer IntimaWave in Fenton.
When to See a Doctor About Pelvic Floor Symptoms
Getting checked is a good first step, because pelvic floor problems are treatable. Many people wait because they feel embarrassed, the FDA says, but these signs are nothing to be ashamed of.
- A bulge, or a feeling that something is coming out of the vagina.
- Trouble starting urine or emptying your bladder.
- Repeat bladder infections.
- Ongoing pain in the pelvis, genitals or rectum (Cleveland Clinic).
- Leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise.
- A sudden urge, or trouble making it to the bathroom.
- Gas or stool leaks, or a tampon that slips.
- Any new change after pregnancy, surgery or menopause.
Our order here is a suggestion, not medical advice. If a sign worries you, call sooner.
Weak Pelvic Floor in Men: What to Know
Men have a pelvic floor too. Better Health lists prostate cancer treatment as a cause of weakness in men, and obesity and long-term constipation add to it. Leaking urine and trouble controlling gas can both appear.
If you have had prostate surgery, ask your surgeon when pelvic floor work is safe. Our IntimaWave sessions are open to men as general pelvic wellness support, and you can read more on our StarFormer page.
Questions to Bring to Your Visit
A short note helps a doctor or therapist act quickly. Write down your answers to these before you go.
- Which signs do I have, and when did they start?
- What have I tried, and did it help?
- Could my muscles be tight instead of weak?
- Do I need tests, or a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist?
- Which habits should I change first?
- Is a wellness option, such as a seated pelvic floor session, safe for me?
Book a StarFormer IntimaWave Consultation in Fenton
Our spa at 50 Fenton Plaza offers StarFormer IntimaWave pelvic floor sessions for women and men. A consultation covers your health history and your goals before any session.
Clients visit from Ballwin, Arnold and Valley Park too.
Details and booking are on our StarFormer page, or call 1-636-492-2668.
Pelvic Floor Questions, Answered
These questions add details the sections above leave out.
Cleveland Clinic lists interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, prolapse, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, constipation and conditions of the anus and rectum. A provider can tell them apart with an exam and, if needed, tests.
A provider starts with your history and a physical exam. Using their hands, they check how well you control the muscles and look for spasms, knots or weakness, says Cleveland Clinic.
Some people also have extra tests: anorectal manometry (the pressure of muscle contractions), electromyography (muscle coordination) or urodynamic testing (how well the bladder empties).
Yes. The FDA says some women have no warning signs early on. If the muscles are very weak, you may not feel them working, and a clinician or therapist can help you find them.
Meet Sarah Hankammer, the owner of Above & Beyond Wellness Spa.
References
- FDA Office of Women’s Health: What Women Need to Know About Their Pelvic Floor
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Better Health Channel (State Government of Victoria): Pelvic floor
- Cleveland Clinic: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
General health information, not medical advice. A licensed provider can answer questions about your own health.