Women with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and other hypermobility disorders frequently experience pelvic floor dysfunction due to connective tissue laxity, joint instability, and altered muscle coordination.
At Bethesda Physiocare, our pelvic health physical therapists understand the complex demands EDS places on the body and provide individualized, evidence-informed care to address pelvic symptoms while supporting whole-body function.
Common pelvic health concerns associated with EDS include:
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Urinary urgency, frequency, or incontinence
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Pain with intercourse
- Chronic low back, hip, SI joint, or tailbone pain
- Difficulty activating or relaxing pelvic floor muscles
- Core instability and diastasis recti
- Pregnancy and postpartum complications
Because connective tissue differences are a hallmark of EDS, pelvic floor dysfunction may occur even without pregnancy, childbirth, or surgery. Symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed, but they are very real—and highly treatable with the right approach.
Our Approach to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy for EDS
Pelvic floor physical therapy for individuals with EDS requires advanced training and thoughtful progression of treatment strategies that address stability, strength, endurance, coordination, and pain modulation. At Bethesda Physiocare, every plan of care is customized to your body, your presentation, and your functional goals.
Your personalized plan may include:
- Pelvic floor muscle retraining focused on efficient activation and coordination
- Education on posture, body mechanics, and joint protection
- Core and hip stabilization exercises designed for hypermobility
- Myofascial release to reduce pain without overstretching tissues
- Nervous system–focused strategies for chronic pain management
- Pregnancy-safe and postpartum-specific pelvic care for EDS patients
We avoid “one-size-fits-all” programs and excessive Kegels, which can worsen symptoms in hypermobile patients. Instead, we focus on functional strength, endurance, and muscle coordination to improve daily comfort and long-term stability.
You Don’t Need a Formal Diagnosis to Begin Care
Many women suspect hypermobility or EDS but have never received a formal diagnosis. If you experience frequent joint pain, instability, recurring injuries, pelvic symptoms, or feel that your body is “too loose” or easily strained, pelvic floor physical therapy may still help.
Our therapists perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and pelvic floor involvement—allowing us to create a treatment plan that supports your whole body, not just isolated symptoms.
If you’d like to learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy for EDS or schedule an evaluation, contact Bethesda Physiocare today. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward improved pelvic health and physical function.
Bethesda Physiocare — Expert Care for Pelvic Health Across the Lifespan.