Body
As a physiatrist and director of women’s health rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Sarah Hwang, MD, is an expert in the health of the pelvic floor — an important group of muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis and lower back; supporting internal pelvic organs; maintaining bowel and bladder continence; aiding in circulation between the legs and the heart; and facilitating sexual function.
Recently, Dr. Hwang was featured in a Woman’s World article, How to Tell if Your Pelvic Floor is Tight or Weak.
In the article, Dr. Hwang shared that pelvic floor weakness can occur when the pelvic floor muscles are stretched or injured during childbirth. At the same time, she said tight pelvic floor muscles also are common after childbirth — or can be caused by stress; back or hip issues; or painful conditions like endometriosis.
When people suspect they have an issue, Dr. Hwang advises that they see a medical professional to perform an exam which can determine whether the pelvic floor is weak or tight.
“In general, we tend to see more tightness in patients that have pelvic pain, pain with sexual activity and frequent urination,” said Dr. Hwang in the article. “We tend to see weakness in people who have leakage when they cough, laugh or sneeze or have pelvic organ prolapse.”
At Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, pelvic floor physical therapy is a common treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. Learn how individuals can return to a full and active lifestyle after pelvic health rehabilitation.
