What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic Floor Therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focusing on rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles. The muscles of the pelvic floor not only support the reproductive organs, but also organs and tissues within other body systems including the urinary and gastrointestinal systems. Since these muscles are involved in supporting so many parts of the body – and can thus hold high stress with some activities and conditions – they can become weak (hypotonic) or have difficulty relaxing (hypertonic). When there is dysfunction in these muscles, people can develop symptoms like urinary or fecal incontinence, constipation, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, worsened PMS, issues with conceiving, and more. Pelvic Floor Therapy uses a combination of external and intervaginal massage, myofascial release techniques, and guided breathwork to address imbalances in the musculature.
How It Supports Fertility
Pelvic Floor Therapy can enhance fertility by:
- Improving Blood Flow. Hypertonic pelvic floor muscles can lead to restricted blood flow to the ovaries and uterus. Restoring proper circulation helps support optimal health and functioning of the reproductive organs.
- Supporting Reproductive Organs. A hypertonic pelvic floor can impact the proper functioning of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, potentially disrupting ovulation, transportation, and/or implantation of an egg.
- Reducing Pain. Bringing balance back to previously hypertonic or hypotonic pelvic floor muscles can reduce pelvic pain and improve sexual health. Less pain also often leads to lower stress levels, which is important for fertility.
- Managing Scar Tissue. Scar tissue and adhesions can form from previous surgeries, infections, or conditions like endometriosis and PCOS. This scar tissue can physically block reproductive organs, either partially or completely.
In a study looking at the effects of pelvic floor therapy and women with infertility, PFT was concluded to be an effective treatment for infertility due to various mechanical causes including occluded fallopian tubes, hormonal dysfunction, endometriosis, and more. (NIH) The results showed the following results after PFT for women previously diagnosed with infertility:
- 60.85% rate of clearing occluded fallopian tubes leading to a 56.64% rate of pregnancy
- 42.81% pregnancy rate in those with endometriosis
- Success of 49.18% for lowering elevated follicle stimulating hormone with 39.34% pregnancy rate
- 53.57% pregnancy rate in women with PCOS
- Improved pregnancy rates (56.16%) in patients undergoing IVF
Who Might Benefit?
Pelvic floor therapy may be especially beneficial for individuals with:
- Unexplained infertility
- Mechanical infertility (physical barriers preventing conception)
- A history of PCOS, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or prior abdominal/pelvic surgeries
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Difficulty with IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies (NIH)
Meet Dr. Hernandez
I’m Dr. Tia Hernández, a Naturopathic Doctor with special interests in women’s health, fertility, and postpartum care. Pelvic floor therapy is just one of the many modalities I utilize to help address any conditions and optimize health for those trying to conceive. I shy away from the standard notion that fertility care should only be considered after no success in trying for 6-12 months; I believe it is important to address any conditions that may interfere with fertility right away, both for increased chances of conception as well as overall health. Even for those that do not have known pre-existing conditions, pregnancy can put a huge stress on the body; doing a comprehensive evaluation to be sure health is optimal is vital to enhance fertility outcomes and mitigate any pregnancy-related complications. Read more about my approach to care and how to book with me here.
