Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: More Common Than You Think – And What You Can Do About It
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is one of the most common – and most overlooked – issues affecting women across all stages of life. It doesn’t just impact postpartum women or those in later years; it shows up in athletes, yoga teachers, Pilates clients, and even teens. And yet, it remains under-discussed, often misdiagnosed, and widely misunderstood – even in the world of wellness and movement education.
So let’s talk about it.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, fascia, and connective tissues that support our bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. These muscles work in coordination with the diaphragm, deep core, and spine to stabilize the pelvis and manage intra-abdominal pressure – especially during breathing, lifting, moving, and even laughing.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction occurs when these muscles are not functioning properly – either due to weakness, tightness, poor coordination, or pressure imbalance. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, such as:
- Leaking urine when sneezing, jumping, or exercising (stress urinary incontinence)
- A feeling of heaviness or “something falling” in the pelvis (prolapse symptoms)
- Pain during intercourse
- Chronic hip, lower back, or sacroiliac joint pain
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder or bowel
- A disconnect between breath and movement
And here’s the important part: just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s normal.
Why is PFD So Prevalent – Especially in Midlife Women?
Hormonal changes (like estrogen decline), pregnancy and childbirth history, chronic stress, postural habits, trauma, and even certain movement cues can all contribute to pelvic floor issues. During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen can thin pelvic tissues and reduce elasticity, making symptoms more pronounced.
At the same time, many well-meaning movement professionals still cue clients to “hold your core tight,” “pull in your belly,” or “engage the pelvic floor at all times” — often without understanding the nuanced coordination needed for true pelvic floor health.
What Can We Do as Movement Teachers? A Lot
There is a lot we can do — and we don’t have to be pelvic floor therapists to make a difference. Join Ory for a free lecture all about Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD), where you’ll learn to recognize different types of PFD and how to respond with effective, supportive strategies.
📅 September 17th
🕖 Live on Zoom
🎟️ Free with registration
In this 60-minute session, we’ll explore:
- What pelvic floor dysfunction really is (and what it isn’t)
- Common signs, myths, and misconceptions
- How Pilates and other movement approaches can either help — or hinder
- Practical strategies you can begin using in class right away
Whether you’re a movement professional or someone who simply wants to better understand your own body — this talk is for you.
👉 Reserve your spot now – Press here
Let’s shift the conversation. Let’s bring pelvic floor health into the center where it belongs.