Pelvic Floor Muscle Examination

Examination of a female patient s pelvic floor must be preceded by a full continence assessment.

Pelvic floor muscle examination.

During the pelvic examination of women with sexual pain the pelvic floor muscles pfms one of the largest structures in the pelvis should be palpated systematically. Learn about the symptoms and treatment options. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition that affects your ability to control your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles aid urinary control continence and orgasm.

Internal vaginal or rectal examination is different than a pelvic or prostate exam done by physician. The exam is done with a gloved finger placed in the vaginal or rectal canal. Your provider may also do a physical exam to test how well you can control your pelvic floor muscles. Pain examination if present.

Your doctor may perform an internal exam. Internal techniques to examine the pelvic floor. Using their hands your provider will check for spasms knots or weakness in these muscles. 3 the pelvic floor rests at the bottom of the pelvis and is formed mainly by the levator ani muscle group.

Achieving and maintaining pelvic floor health is essential to lifelong sexual enjoyment by minimizing or preventing injury and increasing arousal and sexual intensity. Your provider may also need to give you an intrarectal inside the rectum exam or vaginal exam. In women weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to prolapse and incontinence. You will be given a sheet to cover up and the therapist will be out of the room while you dress or undress much like a regular physical exam at the doctor s.

Because of the location of the pelvic floor muscles the best way to assess and treat them is to work internally. This can be through the vagina in the female or the rectum in the male. Measurement tools to evaluate pfm pelvic floor muscles function and strength. In this article learn how to do four.

It is performed to look at the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic floor. You may also be given other tests including. Method to measure ability to contract clinical observation vaginal palpation us mri emg measure to quantify strength manual muscle test by vaginal palpation manometry dynamometry cones clinical observation. Male pelvic floor therapy refers to a number of therapeutic assessment and treatment techniques intended to decrease pain and increase your control of your pelvic floor muscles.

Using single digit palpation the clinician should assess for changes of the pfms including hypertonicity trigger point formation and muscle shortening.