What is Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia?

Your pelvic floor muscles play an important role in helping you eliminate stool. In most people, this process comes naturally, and we do not give it a second thought. When you have pelvic floor dyssynergia (pelvic dyssynergia), the muscles in your pelvic floor become uncoordinated. This makes it difficult to have a bowel movement.

Your pelvic floor includes muscles and connective tissue that support your bladder, rectum, and other pelvic organs. These muscles tighten (contract) to prevent stool from leaking (incontinence). During a bowel movement, these muscles must relax in a coordinated manner for you to successfully eliminate stool from your rectum. When you have pelvic floor dyssynergia, the muscles do not relax, resulting in constipation. This condition can affect men and women.

You may have trouble:

• Knowing when you are ready to have a bowel movement
• Passing stool through your rectum
• Completing a bowel movement

Pelvic floor dyssynergia is a painful condition that can affect your quality of life. Offering a wide range of treatments, including biofeedback and specialized gastrointestinal pain management techniques, you can take comfort knowing that experts at Stanford Health Care can help you feel better. Learn more about our Neurogastroenterology, Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders program.