His and Her Health

Can loss of estrogen cause pelvic floor dysfunction?

That is the same question I have...did anyone get back to you????

By itself, decreased estrogen does not cause PFD.

First we need to remember that Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) can be due to a laxity in the pelvic muscles (commonly seen with prolapse, incontinence) or due to high tone and spasmed muscles (more commonly see with the diagnoses on this forum). It is most likely worsened when one gets into the pain spasm cycle. Pain causes muscle guarding and tension which will lead to muscle pain and spasm. As this continues, the tone increases in the muscles. Symptom common to this type of PFD are vulvar pain, , urinary urge/frequency, painful intercourse, painful sitting, etc...

niva

How can you tell what starts the PFD?? Also,
I have pain in my vestibule area can that be from PFD

vestibular pain can be caused by at least a dozen different reasons: low estrogen and pelvic floor dysfunction are the two most common of the dozen.

<small>[ 03-11-2009, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

How do you test for low estrogen? I had blood work done that contradicted the results of a saliva test- which one is more accurate? My gyne prescribed E&T ointment without checking my hormones he says he treats all his vulvodynia patients the same way. Is it negligent not to test ones estrogen and dispense the topical E&T for treating "vulvodynia"