By Stephanie Stamas, SPT
Connective tissue disorders (CTD) cause dysfunction in the structures that support, bind, and protect the organs of the body, such as bone, fascia, cartilage, muscle and skin. There are over 200 identified CTDs with the majority of the disorders affecting women more than men. Some CTDs are heritable, such as with Elhers-Danlos Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome and Osteogenesis Imperfecta, although in most cases the cause is unknown. Here at Beyond Basics Physical Therapy, we have noticed that several patients not only report issues involving bowel, bladder, or sexual dysfunction, but also have a history of systemic issues including fatigue, general joint pain, Raynaud’s phenomenon or dryness. These complaints have led us to look into the possible relationship between pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (PFMD) and connective tissue disorders, specifically Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a genetic CTD resulting from defective synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a foundational matrix in the body which forms skin, bone, blood vessels, organ capsules and other body structures. There are several subtypes of the syndrome, each affecting a different type of collagen and therefore presenting with different symptoms. Hypermobility-type EDS is the most common subtype and presents with general joint hypermobility, chronic subluxation, skin elasticity, easy bruising and chronic joint pain. Classical-type EDS also presents with general hypermobility and skin extensibility but has increased skin involvement, such as tissue fragility and atrophic scarring over bony prominences. The relationship between EDS and PFMD has been explored in several studies and a correlation between dyspareunia (painful intercourse), stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and EDS have been identified, with the trend toward increased symptoms with classical-type EDS.
