Are you suffering from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Are you suffering from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Ok, I admit, I love a good pelvic floor chat! For many many reasons, but mainly because for so many years pelvic floor dysfunction was seen as something to just "get on with", especially if you had had a baby. For years women quietly removed themselves from activities they loved, like running or sports out of shame of leaking, squirmed at the sight of a bouncy castle or very discreetly hid the incontinence pads at the bottom of the shopping trolley.
But here's the thing - if you have had a baby, it is not inevitable that you will experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, but it is not uncommon.
Does that mean if you've never had a baby or your babies are now grown adults that you're exempt from the pelvic floor chat?
Unfortunately, no.
You can experience pelvic floor dysfunction, regardless of your age or child-status. Fluctuating hormone levels in peri-menopause and menopause, stress, and lifestyle issues such constipation can all impact your pelvic floor (and yes, 1 in 10 men will also experience symptoms)
Here’s what you need to know about your pelvic floor health.
What is your Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor muscles are layer of muscles that runs from your pubic bone at the front of your body to your lower spine at the back. It consists of a web of interrelated muscles, tendons, and ligaments that form a supportive hammock at the base of the pelvic bowl. They are the foundation for the core of the body. They both help stabilize the pelvis and support the organs of the lower abdominal cavity, such as the bladder and uterus. The pelvic floor muscles, along with the deep muscles of the back and abdomen, from the group of muscles we work when we focus on developing core strength, as we do in Pilates.
Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Pelvic Organs
What is the Role of the Pelvic Floor Muscles?
The role of the pelvic floor muscles is to support your pelvic organs. These include your uterus or womb, vagina, bowel and bladder. The muscles should react automatically when you cough or sneeze by squeezing and stopping you from leaking urine.
However, leaking urine isn’t the only sign that you may have pelvic floor.
Did you know that pelvic floor dysfunction could also feel like:
Bulging, heaviness or dragging down below
Low back, hip or sacroiliac pain
Abdominal pain
Pain during intercourse
Difficulty inserting a tampon
Not being able to make it to the toilet on time, or leaking urine or faeces when doing things such as exercising, coughing or sneezing.
Needing to go to the toilet more frequently than normal
Having a strong urge to pee that doesn’t match up with the volume when you do go.
Difficulty fully emptying your bladder or bowels.
It is important to remember that while pelvic floor dysfunction is not uncommon after having a baby (or at any other stage of life), it is not inevitable or untreatable. And just because you have had a baby does not mean that you should have to just have to “get on with it” and suffer in silence.
If you are suffering with any symptoms, book an appointment with a womens health physio for an assessment and seek the help of a qualified coach to help you implement your plan.
You can try one of my Restore Your Core workouts from my Beyond Fitness Membership here to help you on the path to pelvic floor control and increase core strength.
Doors for the membership are currently closed, but you can add your name to the waitlist here for when they reopen again at the end of the year.