Photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 8, 2025

The pelvic floor, often avoided in conversation, is an important part of the body. It consists of a group of muscles at the base of the pelvis. When people think of pelvic floor issues, they often associate them with those who have just given birth. However, everyone has a pelvic floor, and the issues are not only related to birth. 

"The Pelvic Floor is a set of muscles at the bottom of your pelvis and hips," Kesley Saladin-O'Neil PT, DPT of North Shore Health, told Boreal Community Media. "It holds up important organs like your bladder, your bowels, and reproductive organs. The muscles work together to keep things in place, help you go to the bathroom, and support your body during movement."

According to the Mayo Clinic, 32% of those who are women assigned at birth, or around 1 in 3, will have at least one pelvic floor issue in their lifetime. For men assigned at birth, the Mayo Clinic states that number is around 16%. 

"Everyone has a pelvic floor, but the specific muscles in the pelvic floor differ slightly between genders assigned at birth. I work with individuals across their lifespan, all genders, and all sexual orientations. The problems themselves can be different between these groups, but they can happen to anyone," Saladin-O'Neil said. 

Pelvic floor issues can be caused by a variety of lifestyle activities, diseases, or giving birth, including constipation, diabetes, genetics, menopause, heavy lifting, smoking, and high-impact exercise, to name a few. Some symptoms include pain, pressure, or bulging in the pelvic area, urinary and bowel incontinence, constipation, frequency and urgency of urination, and sexual problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For many, discussing pelvic floor concerns can feel embarrassing. "Pelvic floor issues are a medical concern, just like a sore throat or a sprained ankle. Pelvic health specialists like myself work with this part of the body every day. Pelvic floor issues are far more common than you might think, but they don’t have to be your normal," said Saladin-O'Neil. "Knowledge is power, and talking openly about pelvic floor health normalizes it, making it easier for people to seek help without feeling shame or embarrassment," she added. 

Saladin-O'Neil is partnering with Cook County Higher Education to host a free four-part series on General Pelvic Floor 101 and Common Issues. The first event, which will introduce the pelvic floor and common issues, will be on Monday, January 13. 

"We will cover a little bit about everything to do with the pelvic floor and its functions," she shared. "People will leave with a better understanding of what the pelvic floor does, problems that can occur, and hopefully take away a few tips on how to help themselves."

Additional dates and topics include:

• Monday, February 3: Urinary Incontinence 
• Monday, March 3: Bowel dysfunction (including fecal incontinence and constipation)
• Monday, April 28: Chronic pelvic pain

Ultimately, Kelsey encourages everyone to prioritize pelvic floor health."There is no judgment here, and simply starting the conversation can feel empowering."

To learn more and for the most up-to-date information, visit the Cook County Higher Education website here.