The pelvis is a protective piece of bone for a complex region in the body. A lot of crucial organs are located in the pelvis, think of the genitals, uterus, bladder, intestines, and when it comes to men: the prostate. These organs and bones are being supported by the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic ligaments. But because there is a lot going on in and around the pelvis, a lot can go wrong too. You can experience pelvic pain caused by pelvic instability during the pregnancy, for example. Throughout the years, both men and women can develop several pelvic issues. There are a lot of possibilities for you to experience pelvic issues. Heavy physical extortion has a (negative) effect on your pelvic floor, but even your eating habits alone can already be a cause of your pelvic issues. Pelvic issues mainly get caused by a weakened or an overactive pelvic floor. Holding urine or stools is a challenge when you have a weakened pelvic floor, and getting an organic prolapse is a possibility. Urinating or pooping can become a problem when you have an overactive pelvic floor, you may develop vaginismus or an erection disorder.
Click here if you’re looking for pelvic floor muscle exercises or click here if you’re looking for products for your pelvis and go to de Bekken Winkel.
I’m trying to help you on your way with this blog. You will find more information on the website. I’ve also written more blogs that are more in-depth about the information and specific issues. There are a lot of blogs focusing on men and women with pelvic issues, pelvic pain or pelvic instability. Tip: click on the blue words for more information.
The pelvis is a bone
The pelvis is a collection of multiple pelvic bones and pelvic joints. The pelvic consists out of three parts. The left part, the right part, and the backside, also known as the sacrum. These parts are attached to each other through joints and ligaments. One of those joints is the well known SI-joint, these are 2 joints located on the left and right on the back. You can recognize those joints by the two dimples on the lower back.
The pelvis consists out of different pelvic bones and joints. The sacrum, tailbone, iliac bones, SI-joints and the pubic bone. So quite some parts! Each pelvic bone are slightly separated from each other, but are connected to each other with pelvic ligaments, like a firm belt or strap around your pelvis. These ligaments are tightly wrapped around your pelvis to keep the whole bunch together and stable.
Pregnancy makes it challenging for the pelvic ligaments to keep the pelvic bones together. The pelvic ligaments become weaker because of several released hormones. Everything becomes a bit more unstable so that there’s enough space for your baby’s head to pass through. That’s why you develop issues because of instability. We call this pelvic instability.
The pelvis is a protective bone, about halfway in our body. The pelvis is a very important part of the body. Your pelvis forms a bridge between your upper and lower body. Everything that has to go from head to toe has to travel through your pelvis. Think of your blood vessels, nerves and a variety of muscles. The pelvis isn’t that wide, so a lot of crucial processes are coming together on a small location.
The pelvis also is an important part when it comes to your posture. Your lower back will be more hollow when you tilt your pelvis forwards. Tilt your pelvis backwards and your lower back is rounder. The pelvis influences the muscles in your back.
The pelvis also provides movement and mobility because of its location near the hips. The hips are located to the left and right of the pelvis. Your upper legs fall into your hip sockets. The pelvic ligaments and pelvic muscles make sure that those are being kept in place as well.
Next to your pelvis acting like a bridge or an important part when it comes to posture, your pelvis also protects vital organs. Your intestines, uterus, prostate and the bladder, for example. These vital organs need solid protection, and that’s the pelvic bone. The organs are resting on the pelvic floor muscles within the pelvis, these muscles keep the organs in place.
The pelvis and sex
Next to the boring functions of the pelvis, the pelvis is important when it comes to pleasure too! Your reproductive organs are located in your pelvis. We also call your pelvis the house of the penis and the vagina. A healthy pelvis allows you to enjoy sex, but a disrupted pelvis can create an obstacle. The pelvic floor can be too active and too tense, which makes having sex nearly impossible. This can cause erection issues or vaginismus. Or, your pelvic floor muscles may be too weak instead, which can cause an absence of sensation in sex or holding an erection may be challenge.
Symptoms of pelvic issues
Pelvic issues often go hand in hand with lower back issues, pain in the groin, pain in or around your tailbone, stomachaches, and even pain spreading towards your legs. You’ll notice that the symptoms come through with a difficulty of moving around. You’ll experience more pelvic issues when you’re having a physical taxing job. Think of standing for a long time, sitting for a long time, or lifting heavy things. Let’s discuss a few symptoms of these pelvic issues.
13 symptoms of pelvic issues:
- Urinary incontinence.
- Digestive issues, like incontinence or obstipation.
- Prolapse issues.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
- Pelvic instability.
- Sexual issues in women, like vaginismus.
- Sexual issues in men, like erection issues.
- Pelvic pain and lower back issues during pregnancy.
- Pelvic pain and lower back issues during childbirth.
- Pelvic pain and lower back issues after pregnancy and childbirth.
- Issues and pain in the tailbone.
- Before or after a surgery, like a prolapse, other gynecologic interventions or a prostate surgery.
- A twisted ovary. This can cause a large amount of pain. Immediately seek help when you are experiencing enormous pain attacks.
Pelvic pain and pelvic issues during pregnancy
The risks of developing pelvic issues are the highest during pregnancy. The pelvis becomes unstable and becomes wider because of the released hormones. Every pregnant individual goes through this process. However, developing pelvic pain isn’t always the case. It’s common that the widening of the pelvis is accompanied with pelvic pain. Other pelvic issues can develop as well, like urinary incontinence or obstipation. Most of these issues disappear after giving birth, but they can also only start to develop AFTER giving birth, however, this is a very slim chance. The group that does have pelvic issues after giving birth often have chronic pelvic issues. We speak of chronic pelvic issues when someone is experiencing pelvic issues for longer than 6 months after giving birth.
The pelvic pain level after childbirth is also different for everyone. Some women experience the same pelvic pain they had during their menstruation during their pregnancy. Others will keep having pelvic pain. When this is the case, we call this chronic pelvic pain.
It’s a lot, so feel free to have a read through my blogs for tips and exercises. If this isn’t enough, look for a specialized therapist. Think of a pelvic therapist, a pelvic physical therapist or pelvic practitioner.
PID, a pelvic inflammatory condition in or around the pelvis
Different diseases and conditions can develop in and around the pelvis. Pelvic instability is the most common one, but unfortunately there are more. PID, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, is another one. This is an inflammation in the lowest point of the pelvis, where the vagina, uterus, ovaries, oviducts, bladder and even the rectum are located. Quite a packed space. Having an inflammation in this area won’t make you happy. This inflammation in the lower pelvis is caused by bacteria that pass through the vagina into the uterus, often because of an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea. This will leave a bad aftertaste after having a little bit too much fun the evening before. The inflammation can also be caused by your own bodily bacteria but that chance is very slim. A huge myth is that a tampon increases the risks of developing a PID, this isn’t proven.
You will experience the following symptoms when you have an inflammation:
- Having a fever or feeling sick.
- Increased vaginal discharge with a different color and odor than usual.
- Having pain when you pee, have sex, or both.
An inflammation develops slowly but it can have serious consequences. Your oviducts can be damaged by scar tissue which means infertility can be lurking around the corner. You can also still experience pain during physical contact after being recovered from the inflammation.
If you so happen to recognize these pelvic issues, contact your doctor and make sure you bring a urinal sample. The sample can quickly prove that you need antibiotics. You often need to take antibiotics for a period of 14 days, and after that you will feel reborn again. Do warn your bedpartners that an STD is in your midst, that would be civil.
And lastly, are you looking for more information?
Long story short, the pelvis is a complicated part of your body. Hopefully this information was useful to you! If you’re still looking for some more information, feel free to take another look around on the website. It’s filled with in-depth information, tips, a web shop and also exercises. I still have a lot of articles with lots of information about other symptoms and issues. Feel free to click on the blue words to take you straight to the right page.
