Pelvic Health Issues Without Pregnancy: Understanding and Treating Common Concerns
It often surprises people when I tell them that we treat women who have never been pregnant or delivered a baby. Just because you haven’t experienced pregnancy doesn’t mean you’re immune to pelvic pain, urinary or fecal leakage, urgency, or even diastasis recti. These issues can affect anyone, regardless of their pregnancy history.
Let me get a bit personal here. I’m newly married and have never been pregnant, but I’ve had my own experiences with pelvic health challenges. As a baby, I underwent multiple abdominal surgeries, and during graduate school, I was diagnosed with diastasis recti. While it doesn’t impact my daily life, it’s something I need to consider when I do eventually become pregnant.
But that’s not all. Despite never having been pregnant, I’ve also experienced pelvic pain during intercourse and dealt with urinary urgency, with a few near "uh-oh" moments. My pelvic floor muscles were too tight and weren’t functioning properly. After a few sessions of pelvic floor physical therapy, and with my professional knowledge, I identified my triggers for urgency and am now pain-free during intercourse.
Why am I sharing this? Because I want you to know that these issues can arise even if you haven’t had a baby, and the sooner they’re addressed, the better the outcome. I’ve had patients who experience severe pelvic pain during their first time having intercourse and think it’s just “normal.” These are the women who benefit most from starting physical therapy right away to prevent the pain from becoming chronic.
I’ve also treated women who suddenly experience pelvic pain during intercourse, often linked to traumatic experiences, stress, or significant life changes. And yes, I’ve seen patients in their early 20s who leak urine. While less common, these young women are the ones we want to see now, not when they’re 70.
If you can relate to anything I’ve shared here, please talk to your doctor or reach out to us directly. We’re here to help, no matter what phase of life you’re in.
Marin Cole, PT, DPT, a pelvic floor physical therapist, Kansas City (Overland Park, Kansas and Lees Summit Missouri)
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A woman doing pelvic floor mobility.