FUNCTIONAL PELVIC DISORDER

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Q: What exactly is pelvic floor dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract or relax correctly. In defecation disorders, the muscles paradoxically contract when they should relax, causing obstructed defecation. Dr. Samhitha diagnoses this with anorectal manometry and treats it with biofeedback therapy.

Q: Is pelvic floor physiotherapy really effective?

Yes, studies show 60-80% significant improvement with specialist biofeedback therapy. It is non-invasive, painless, and taught over outpatient sessions. Dr. Samhitha recommends this as the first-line treatment for most patients.

Q: When is surgery needed for pelvic floor dysfunction?

Surgery is considered when biofeedback has been properly completed without adequate response, and when a structural cause (rectocele, rectal prolapse) is confirmed on imaging.

Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses a range of conditions where the pelvic floor muscles fail to function correctly, causing constipation, incomplete evacuation, pelvic pain, or incontinence. Dr. Samhitha Reddy provides pelvic floor treatment.

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Pelvic floor dysfunction treatment by Dr. Samhitha Reddy in Hyderabad with biofeedback

Women MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED

Biofeedback PRIMARY TREATMENT

Surgical WHEN STRUCTURAL CAUSE

ABOUT THIS CONDITION

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the group of muscles and connective tissues forming the pelvic floor fail to coordinate correctly. This leads to problems with bowel, bladder, and sexual function, including obstructed defecation, constipation, pelvic pain, faecal incontinence, and prolapse. It is particularly common in women following childbirth and with advancing age. Pelvic floor treatment begins with a thorough functional assessment using anorectal manometry and defecography. Dr. Samhitha Reddy prioritises pelvic floor physiotherapy and biofeedback as primary treatments, reserving surgery (Rectocele Repair, Rectopexy) for cases with confirmed structural pathology.

SIGNS TO WATCH

Common Symptoms

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Symptoms that need attention

Difficulty initiating or completing bowel movements Sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation Needing to strain excessively to pass stool Needing to manually assist defecation Pelvic pressure or heaviness Urinary or faecal leakage

WHY IT HAPPENS

Causes & Risk Factors

Childbirth injury, vaginal delivery causing pelvic floor muscle and nerve damage
Chronic constipation and long-term straining
Ageing-related weakening of pelvic support structures
Previous pelvic surgery, hysterectomy, prostate surgery
Neurological conditions affecting sacral nerve supply
Connective tissue disorders affecting pelvic ligament integrity

CLINICAL DETAILS

KeyFacts

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Specialist physiotherapy and biofeedback, primary treatment for most pelvic floor dysfunction

Biofeedback

Retrains pelvic floor muscles using visual and tactile feedback, 60-80% improvement in obstructed defecation

Rectocele Repair

Surgical correction of posterior vaginal wall prolapse causing obstructed defecation, when biofeedback fails

Rectopexy

Laparoscopic rectopexy for cases with concurrent internal rectal prolapse

Investigations

Anorectal manometry, defecography, and endoanal ultrasound guide treatment planning

Location

Pelvic floor physiotherapy and surgical repair available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

HOW WE TREAT IT

Treatment Approach

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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy First, Surgery When Indicated

Dr. Samhitha strongly believes in a conservative-first approach for pelvic floor dysfunction. Specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy and biofeedback therapy is the primary treatment, achieving significant improvement in most patients. For those with an underlying structural cause (rectocele, rectal prolapse), Rectocele Repair or Rectopexy provides definitive correction after conservative therapy has been optimised.

Available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

1

Functional Assessment

Anorectal manometry, defecography, and endoanal ultrasound provide a detailed physiological and anatomical map of pelvic floor dysfunction, distinguishing functional from structural causes.
2

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy & Biofeedback

The primary treatment, a specialist physiotherapy programme retrains pelvic floor muscles to relax correctly during defecation and contract effectively to maintain continence. Biofeedback uses visual feedback to guide muscle training.
3

Rectocele Repair (If Structural Cause)

When a significant posterior rectocele is causing obstructed defecation that has not responded to biofeedback, surgical rectocele repair is performed, typically via a transanal or transvaginal approach.
4

Rectopexy (If Internal Prolapse Present)

When internal rectal intussusception or full prolapse contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction, laparoscopic rectopexy provides definitive structural correction.

AVAILABLE TREATMENTS

Treatment Options

Pelvic Floor Therapy / Biofeedback

Behavioural therapy using feedback mechanisms to retrain the coordination of pelvic muscles during defecation.

Rectocele Repair

A surgical procedure to correct the herniation of the rectal wall into the vaginal wall by reinforcing or reconstructing the rectovaginal septum.

Rectopexy

A surgical procedure in which the rectum is mobilised and fixed to the sacrum to restore normal anatomical position and prevent prolapse or abnormal descent.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked

What exactly is pelvic floor dysfunction?+

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy really effective?+

When is surgery needed for pelvic floor dysfunction?+

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