FROM MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM
THINGS WOMEN SECRETLY SEARCH THE WEB FOR
‘WHY DOES MY LOWER BACK HURT ALL THE TIME?’ The answer may not be your back. The pelvic floor is part of your body's core muscle system. When those muscles aren't functioning properly, surrounding muscles, including those in the lower back, often work harder to compensate. Over time, that can contribute to ongoing discomfort. Some leakage immediately after childbirth can be expected. However, months later is a different story. Pregnancy and childbirth place significant stress on pelvic floor muscles. If leakage continues beyond the postpartum recovery period, it's worth discussing with a healthcare provider because treatment options are available. WHAT CAN WOMEN DO? The first step is understanding that you don’t just have to “live with” these symptoms. Start by having a conversation with your healthcare provider. Many women are surprised to learn that effective, non-surgical treatment options may be available. Pelvic floor therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on identifying the root cause of symptoms. Depending on the individual's needs, treatment may include exercises to improve strength and coordination, relaxation techniques for overly tight muscles, breathing and posture training, education on bladder habits and strategies for returning to normal daily activities with confidence. ‘IS LEAKING AFTER HAVING A BABY NORMAL?’ Perhaps most importantly, pelvic floor therapy begins with listening. Every woman's experience is different, and treatment should be tailored to her specific symptoms and goals. The bottom line is simple, just because a symptom is common doesn't mean it's normal. So the next time you're tempted to search the web or browse social media looking for answers, remember that there may be solutions available. You don't have to plan every outing around the nearest restroom, avoid activities you enjoy or accept discomfort as your new normal. Sometimes the first step toward feeling better is realizing that help exists and starting the conversation. Tammy Rouse is a doctor of physical therapy and director of physical therapy with Memorial Health System. Reach her at trouse@mhg.com.
Let's be honest. Women are resourceful. When something doesn't feel quite right, many of us do what we've always done: seek
information. Sometimes that means asking a friend. Sometimes it means talking to a healthcare provider. And sometimes it means searching the web or scrolling social media looking for answers. We ask questions like: • Why do I pee when I laugh? • Is it normal to always feel pressure down there? • Why do I have to know where every bathroom is before I leave the house? • Is pain during intimacy normal? If you've searched for any of these, you're not alone. Many women experience symptoms such as bladder leakage, pelvic pressure, urinary urgency, lower back pain or pain during intimacy. The good news is that these symptoms are often treatable. While every woman's situation is different, many of these concerns can be related to pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that can frequently improve with the right evaluation and treatment. ‘WHY DO I PEE WHEN I LAUGH OR SNEEZE?’ If you've ever crossed your legs before a big sneeze, welcome to a very large club. Leaking urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing, running or jumping often is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles. While it's common, it's not something women simply must accept as part of aging or motherhood. ‘IS IT NORMAL TO ALWAYS FEEL PRESSURE DOWN THERE?’ In a word: no. A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvic area can occur when pelvic floor muscles become weak or, surprisingly, too tight. Some women describe it as constantly feeling like something is "pushing down." Others notice an ongoing urge to use the bathroom. ‘WHY DO I HAVE TO PEE ALL THE TIME?’ Your bladder may not be the culprit. Tight pelvic floor muscles can place pressure on the bladder, making it feel full even when it isn't. Over time, many women develop the habit of going to the restroom "just in case." In pelvic floor therapy, we even have a saying: Don't JIC. That's therapist shorthand for "don't go just in case." ‘IS PAIN DURING INTIMACY NORMAL?’ Absolutely not. Persistent pain during intimacy never should be dismissed as normal. Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of several possible causes and often can be addressed once the underlying issue is identified. BY TAMMY ROUSE
November 2026
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