Why Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Is More Common Than You Think (and What to Do About It)

Pelvic floor dysfunction is not rare, nor is it limited to new moms or older women. It’s a widespread issue affecting millions—yet it’s still misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and too often dismissed. Many women quietly live with leaking, pelvic pain, or core instability, assuming it’s just a “normal” part of life. But the truth is, pelvic floor dysfunction is far more common than most people realize—and the good news is, it’s highly treatable.

At YourFormSux (YFS), our pelvic health physiotherapists work with women across Canada to address these challenges with real, evidence-based solutions. In this blog, we’ll explain why pelvic floor dysfunction is so prevalent, why many women don’t know they have it, and what you can do right now to take back control of your pelvic health.

What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Exactly?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a hammock-like structure at the base of your pelvis. These muscles are responsible for supporting your bladder, bowel, and uterus, as well as helping with core stability, continence, posture, and sexual function.

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles are too weak, too tight, or uncoordinated. This imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms that often seem unrelated on the surface:

Urinary incontinence or urgency

Constipation or straining during bowel movements

Pain during intercourse

Pelvic heaviness or prolapse sensations

Lower back, hip, or tailbone pain

Core weakness or poor posture

Discomfort while sitting, standing, or walking

Many women experience one or more of these symptoms without ever realizing they stem from the same root issue—dysfunction of the pelvic floor.

Why Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction So Common?

Several factors make pelvic floor dysfunction incredibly common, particularly among women. The following contributors often overlap and build up over time:

1. Pregnancy and Childbirth

Vaginal delivery, C-section, episiotomy, and prolonged pushing can all weaken or scar the pelvic floor muscles. Hormonal changes and increased abdominal pressure during pregnancy also strain the system, even before labour begins.

2. Chronic Poor Posture

Sitting for long hours, slouching, or walking with poor alignment can disrupt the coordination between your core and pelvic floor, leading to dysfunctional loading patterns.

3. High-Impact Exercise or Heavy Lifting

Jumping, running, or improper core engagement during strength training can overload the pelvic floor, especially when done without proper breath and pressure management.

4. Hormonal Changes (Menopause, Perimenopause)

As estrogen levels drop, tissue elasticity and muscle tone also decrease—impacting pelvic floor function and increasing symptoms like leaking or urgency.

5. Stress and Tension

Emotional stress often leads to unconscious gripping in the pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this can result in chronic tightness, pain, and nerve irritation.

6. Lack of Awareness

Most women are never taught how to connect with or care for their pelvic floor. By the time symptoms arise, they’re often confused about what’s causing them or who to turn to for help.

Why You Might Not Know You Have It

One of the challenges with pelvic floor dysfunction is that symptoms are easily brushed off or attributed to other causes. For example:

Leaking during exercise? You’re told to “just wear a pad.”

Back pain? You’re sent for imaging but nothing shows up.

Pain with sex? You’re told it’s “in your head” or “just anxiety.”

Frequent bathroom trips? Blamed on a small bladder or aging.

In truth, many of these symptoms stem from pelvic floor imbalances—but because pelvic health is not routinely assessed in general medical care, they’re rarely addressed properly.

How Physiotherapy Helps Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Physiotherapy is the most effective, non-invasive treatment option for pelvic floor dysfunction. At YourFormSux, our pelvic health physiotherapists begin with a thorough assessment that includes:

Postural and alignment screening

Breath mechanics and core control evaluation

Pelvic floor muscle testing (internal and/or external)

Movement and mobility analysis

Based on your individual findings, a custom treatment plan is designed to restore balance, relieve symptoms, and improve functional strength.

Key physiotherapy strategies may include:

Manual therapy to release tight muscles or scar tissue

Biofeedback to retrain coordination and muscle control

Breath and pressure management to protect against prolapse and strain

Pelvic mobility and stability work for improved alignment and comfort

Education to help you understand how your body works and how to care for it moving forward

Why Early Intervention Matters

Left untreated, pelvic floor dysfunction can progress and lead to chronic pain, mobility limitations, or more serious complications like pelvic organ prolapse. Addressing symptoms early—even when they seem minor—can significantly improve your outcomes and reduce the need for surgical intervention later on.

If you’re dealing with pelvic symptoms, don’t wait for them to become “bad enough.” The earlier you take action, the better your chances for full recovery.

You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Tolerate It

Pelvic floor dysfunction is incredibly common, but it’s not something you have to accept. Whether you’ve just had a baby, are going through menopause, or simply want to stop leaking when you laugh, physiotherapy offers a safe, personalized path toward healing.

At YourFormSux, we’re committed to helping women across Canada understand and optimize their pelvic health. Our expert physiotherapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care that gets to the root of your symptoms—so you can feel strong, aligned, and fully supported.