Most people have heard the term pelvic floor, but many do not realize what the pelvic floor does on a daily basis.
Your pelvic floor is working constantly, 24/7, it is supporting your rectum, bladder, colon, and sexual organs.
These muscles perform many important functions. Pelvic floor muscles help your rectum and bladder relax and contract on demand when you need them to, and they are also the muscles that contract during sexual intercourse.
When pelvic muscles are too loose or too tight, many problems can occur.
When your pelvic floor muscles are damaged or weak, it can lead to several serious issues like urinary leakage, accidental bowel leakage or pelvic organ prolapse.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the bladder, uterus, and bowel may drop which can cause a sense of pressure and fullness.
If these muscles are too tight, it can be very difficult to relax, causing incomplete bladder emptying, difficult bowel movements, a burning sensation during urination, a weak urinary stream, constipation and even pain during sexual intercourse.
When something puts pressure on the pelvis, including chronic cough and chronic constipation, pregnancy and childbirth, constant straining while doing your toilet business or nerve damage from disease or surgery, it can lead to a pelvic floor disorder.
About one-quarter of women do face a pelvic floor disorder, and that number increases with age.
Men can also develop pelvic floor disorders. These are often a result of neurologic diseases or trauma, enlarged prostates, pelvic surgery, infections and also radiation treatment for conditions like prostate cancer.
Pelvic health issues do not need to be accepted as a normal or acceptable part of aging, in contrast, they are common medical problems which can be treated successfully.
TIPS FOR PELVIC HEALTH AT EVERY AGE
In both women and men, both lifestyle and stress can aggravate and exacerbate pelvic floor spasm and pain.
Just as people exercise and eat well to help prevent certain diseases, they can also work to improve their pelvic health throughout their lives.
The goal is to maintain a strong pelvic floor to avoid chronic issues such as bladder and bowel control loss.
- Strengthen your pelvic floor – if loose muscles are the issue, Kegel exercises should be a daily routine
- Avoid constipation – consume enough fluids and fiber and exercising regularly
- Meditation and guided relaxation can help loosen overly tight pelvic muscles
- Changing your diet can improve stool consistency, which can help with constipation and bowel leakages
- Avoid sitting on the toilet for too long
- Avoid straining or pushing during bowel movements and when urinating
- Be careful with consuming alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners – less is more
- Relaxing the muscles in the pelvic floor area can help greatly, like taking a warm bath and practicing yoga
- Make sure to keep a healthy weight – extra pounds put extra pressure on your pelvic floor area
- Be very careful with lifting heavy weights as that can lead to organ prolapse
- Avoid smoking
SEEKING TREATMENT?
Loads of people, in fact, millions suffer from pelvic health issues, but only few seek treatment, compromising their quality of life.
Health issues in the pelvic floor area can cause embarrassment, which is why help and support isn’t seeked, while others suffer in silence because they believe their symptoms are simply part of the normal aging process.
However, disorders like incontinence need to be treated as a healthy pelvic floor is crucial for our daily lives. Therefore, one should not hesitate to see a doctor as help is out there – make sure you learn which treatment options you have!
Coming to a close…
WE NOW TALKED EXTENSIVELY ABOUT PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH, AND ONE ISSUE HERE CAN BE INCONTINENCE WHICH IS A VERY SENSITIVE SUBJECT FOR MANY – HOWEVER, JUST ONE STRANGE UPPER BODY STRETCH MAY STOP BLADDER LEAKAGE.
Tap here to learn the strange upper body stretch that stops bladder leakage.