Benefits of Pelvic Floor PT for Infertility
The impact:
Infertility affects 72.4 million people worldwide, which can result in emotional distress and unexpected challenges on the path to parenthood.
Infertility is a dysfunction in the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve or maintain a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse for those <35 years old, and after 6 months of trying for those over 35 years old.
1 in 8 couples struggles to conceive and stay pregnant. This number is larger as we approach ages >35. In these cases, one third is due to male factor infertility and one third is due to female infertility. The remaining cases are often a result of a combination of factors or unknown causes.
Treatment options for infertility:
Infertility can be caused by various factors, such as hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities, ovulation disorders, sperm abnormalities, or issues related to the pelvic region. The specific treatment approach depends on the underlying cause and may involve medical interventions, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), or surgical procedures.
How pelvic PT can support you during this time:
As pelvic health therapists we can work closely with your medical team to support your fertility journey. Treatment varies greatly based on underlying symptoms or pelvic floor dysfunction you may have and may include:
Visceral Manipulation: integrated manual therapy techniques focused on minimizing adhesions and decreasing mechanical blockages in order to improve mobility of soft tissue structures. Visceral manipulation is also used to help restore normal physiologic motion of organs with decreased motility. Visceral manipulation has been found to be beneficial in patients with suspected or confirmed pelvic adhesions due to abdominal and/or pelvic surgery, infectious or inflammatory disease (eg, endometriosis, PID), or trauma.
Manual therapy techniques to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and reduce pain or discomfort in the pelvic region. Addressing muscle imbalances and optimizing pelvic floor function, can improve fertility outcomes
Education and Lifestyle Modifications: This can include a combination of speciality services from exercise guidance, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and addressing underlying orthopedic and pelvic floor dysfunction. We also highly recommend working with a mental health therapist during this journey to incorporate the physical, mental and medical support you need.
Relaxation techniques and stress management tools
If you are struggling with infertility, consider consulting us to seek assistance and specialized care as we work alongside your family and infertility specialist to optimize fertility treatments and support a health pregnancy
