Pelvic Floor Health

We are told as women when we age that some things are just normal and a part of the aging process... but pelvic floor issues is not one of thise things and there is plenty we can do to maintain our urinary and pelvic floor health... we do not need to let the patriarchy tell us this is normal...

Compassionate Care for Bladder Health, Pelvic Support, and Lifelong Wellness

Your pelvic floor quietly supports nearly every aspect of daily life.

It helps you control your bladder and bowels, supports your pelvic organs, contributes to sexual function, stabilizes your core, and even influences your posture and balance. When the pelvic floor isn’t functioning well, you may notice symptoms that affect your confidence, comfort, and quality of life—but many people assume these changes are simply a normal part of aging or having children.

They aren’t something you have to “just live with.”

At Harmony Roots Wellness, we provide compassionate, evidence-based evaluation and treatment for pelvic floor concerns. Whether you’re recovering after childbirth, navigating menopause, healing after surgery, or simply noticing changes as you age, we’re here to help you find solutions that fit your lifestyle and goals.


What Is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a supportive “hammock” at the base of your pelvis.

These muscles help:

  • Support the bladder, uterus (if present), vagina, and rectum
  • Control urination and bowel movements
  • Support sexual function
  • Stabilize your core
  • Maintain posture and balance

When these muscles become weakened, overactive, injured, or stretched, symptoms can develop gradually over time.


Common Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

You may benefit from an evaluation if you’re experiencing:

  • Urinary leakage
  • Frequent urination
  • Sudden urinary urgency
  • Difficulty emptying your bladder
  • Constipation
  • Stool leakage
  • Pelvic pressure or heaviness
  • A vaginal bulge
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Pelvic pain
  • Low back pain
  • Hip pain
  • Difficulty returning to exercise after childbirth
  • Core weakness
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections

These symptoms are common—but they are not inevitable.


Urinary Incontinence

Bladder leakage affects millions of adults of all ages.

Common types include:

Stress Incontinence

Leakage with:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Running
  • Jumping
  • Lifting

Urge Incontinence

A sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate that may not allow enough time to reach the bathroom.

Mixed Incontinence

Many people experience a combination of both stress and urge symptoms.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, pessary support, referrals for pelvic floor physical therapy, medications, or procedural options.


Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the tissues supporting the bladder, uterus, vaginal walls, or rectum weaken over time.

Symptoms may include:

  • Pelvic pressure
  • A feeling of “something falling out”
  • Difficulty inserting tampons
  • Bladder leakage
  • Trouble emptying the bladder
  • Pain during intercourse

Prolapse is common after childbirth and during menopause, but it can also occur with chronic constipation, heavy lifting, connective tissue disorders, or simply aging.


Pessary Fitting & Ongoing Care

A pessary is a removable medical-grade silicone device that helps support the pelvic organs without surgery.

Many people are excellent candidates for pessaries, especially those who:

  • Want to avoid surgery
  • Are not surgical candidates
  • Wish to remain active
  • Need additional support during exercise
  • Experience bladder leakage due to prolapse

Harmony Roots Wellness provides:

  • Pessary fittings
  • Follow-up adjustments
  • Routine pessary cleaning and maintenance
  • Education on self-management when appropriate
  • Ongoing monitoring for vaginal health

For many patients, a properly fitted pessary can dramatically improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life.


Pelvic Floor Health After Hysterectomy

Many people assume that having a hysterectomy prevents future pelvic floor concerns. While a hysterectomy may improve certain symptoms depending on the reason for surgery, it does not eliminate the need for pelvic floor care.

After a hysterectomy, changes in support structures, scar tissue, muscle function, and aging can still contribute to:

  • Bladder leakage
  • Vaginal vault prolapse
  • Pelvic pressure
  • Pain with intimacy
  • Pelvic floor weakness

Routine pelvic floor evaluation remains an important part of long-term health, even after the uterus has been removed.


Aging With an Intact Pelvic Floor

If you have not had a hysterectomy, the pelvic floor naturally changes over time due to pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal shifts, menopause, connective tissue changes, chronic coughing, heavy lifting, constipation, and genetics.

These changes may increase the likelihood of:

  • Uterine prolapse
  • Bladder prolapse (cystocele)
  • Rectocele
  • Urinary urgency
  • Stress incontinence
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Sexual discomfort

The good news is that many of these conditions respond well to conservative treatment when identified early.


Menopause and Pelvic Floor Health

Declining estrogen levels can weaken the tissues of the vagina, bladder, and urethra, contributing to:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Burning
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Bladder urgency
  • Leakage
  • Pain with intimacy
  • Pelvic organ prolapse

If you’re navigating menopause, we encourage you to visit our Menopause Care page to learn more about comprehensive treatment options, including hormone therapy and non-hormonal approaches.

→ Explore Menopause Care


Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is often one of the most effective first-line treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction.

We frequently refer patients to trusted pelvic health physical therapists who specialize in:

  • Muscle strengthening
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Core stabilization
  • Scar tissue management
  • Postpartum recovery
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Return to exercise

Working together allows us to provide comprehensive, coordinated care tailored to your needs.


Advanced Pelvic Floor Support Through Our Partnership with Xanadu MedSpa

Some patients benefit from additional non-surgical therapies to improve pelvic floor strength, urinary symptoms, and vaginal tissue health.

Through our partnership with Xanadu MedSpa, Harmony Roots Wellness patients have access to advanced treatments at a discounted preferred-client rate.

These optional therapies may complement your treatment plan and can be discussed during your visit.

Emsella® Pelvic Floor Chair

The Emsella chair uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM®) technology to stimulate thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions during a comfortable, fully clothed treatment session.

It may help improve:

  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Urgency
  • Mild pelvic floor weakness
  • Core support
  • Confidence during exercise

Many patients notice improvement after completing a series of treatments.

Fractional CO₂ Vaginal Rejuvenation

Fractional CO₂ laser therapy may help improve symptoms associated with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) and vaginal tissue changes.

Potential benefits include:

  • Improved vaginal moisture
  • Increased tissue elasticity
  • Reduced discomfort with intimacy
  • Improved mild urinary symptoms
  • Support for overall vaginal health

Treatment recommendations are individualized based on your symptoms and medical history.

EMTONE® for Pelvic Wellness

EMTONE combines radiofrequency and targeted mechanical energy to improve tissue quality and support collagen remodeling.

Depending on your goals, it may be incorporated into a broader pelvic wellness or postpartum recovery plan.

Our team can help determine whether these therapies are appropriate for your situation and discuss expected benefits, limitations, and costs.


Caring for Your Pelvic Floor Every Day

Small habits can make a meaningful difference in pelvic health over time.

We encourage patients to:

  • Stay physically active
  • Treat chronic constipation
  • Avoid straining during bowel movements
  • Maintain a healthy weight when possible
  • Stop smoking
  • Practice proper lifting mechanics
  • Stay hydrated
  • Address chronic coughing
  • Seek evaluation early if symptoms develop

Preventive care often leads to the best outcomes.


Related Services

Pelvic floor health is closely connected with many aspects of reproductive and urinary health. You may also be interested in:


Frequently Asked Questions

Is bladder leakage just a normal part of getting older?

No. While urinary leakage becomes more common with age, it is not considered a normal or unavoidable part of aging. Many causes of incontinence can be improved with conservative treatment.

Can a pessary replace surgery?

For many individuals, yes. A properly fitted pessary can effectively manage symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence and may delay or eliminate the need for surgery.

Do I still need pelvic exams after a hysterectomy?

In many cases, yes. Even without a uterus or cervix, regular pelvic health evaluations remain important to assess vaginal tissue health, pelvic floor support, bladder function, and any new symptoms. The recommended schedule depends on your medical history and the type of hysterectomy you had.

Is the Emsella chair painful?

Most people describe the sensation as strong but comfortable pelvic floor muscle contractions. Treatments are performed fully clothed and typically take about 30 minutes with no recovery time.

Will insurance cover pessary care?

Many insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover evaluation, pessary fitting, and medically necessary follow-up care. Our team can help you understand your benefits and discuss any out-of-pocket costs before treatment.

Take the First Step Toward Better Pelvic Health

Pelvic floor concerns are incredibly common, but they are not something you have to accept as “just part of life.” Whether you’re dealing with bladder leakage, pelvic pressure, prolapse, discomfort after childbirth or surgery, or changes related to menopause, early evaluation can make a meaningful difference.

At Harmony Roots Wellness, we provide inclusive, trauma-informed, and judgment-free care for women, transgender men, nonbinary individuals, and anyone seeking support for pelvic health. Together, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan that may include conservative management, pessary care, pelvic floor therapy referrals, hormone support, or advanced non-surgical options through our partnership with Xanadu MedSpa. Our goal is to help you return to the activities you enjoy with greater comfort, confidence, and quality of life.