Pelvic Floor Health: What Every Woman Should Know
Learn about the importance of pelvic floor health and how physiotherapy can help address common concerns that many women face.
Understanding Your Pelvic Floor
While this article focuses on women’s health, pelvic floor issues can affect people of all genders. Many of the principles discussed here apply broadly, though specific concerns and treatments may vary.
You have probably heard about pelvic floor exercises, but do you really understand the muscles you are supposed to be working? Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that form a supportive hammock at the base of your pelvis, holding up your bladder, uterus, and bowel. Despite their crucial role in daily life, these muscles often go unnoticed until something feels off.
Many women only start thinking about their pelvic floor after experiencing an unexpected leak during a sneeze, noticing a heaviness in their pelvis, or realizing that intimacy has become uncomfortable. The good news is that with proper care and guidance, pelvic floor concerns can often be significantly improved.
Common Concerns Many Women Experience
Urinary incontinence is perhaps the most widely recognized pelvic floor issue, showing up as leaking when you cough, laugh, exercise, or cannot quite make it to the bathroom in time. You might also experience a sensation of heaviness or bulging in the pelvic area, which could indicate pelvic organ prolapse. Some women notice pelvic pain during daily activities or during intimacy, while others struggle with urgency that sends them rushing to the bathroom frequently.
Understanding Your Risk Factors
While pelvic floor issues can affect any woman at any age, certain factors increase your likelihood of experiencing problems. Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on these muscles, and the hormonal changes of menopause can affect tissue strength. High-impact exercise, chronic constipation, heavy lifting, carrying extra body weight, and previous pelvic surgery all contribute to pelvic floor stress.
Why Doing Kegels on Your Own Often Falls Short
Kegel exercises have become synonymous with pelvic floor health, but here is something many women do not realize: performing them incorrectly can actually make things worse. This is especially true for those with a hypertonic (overactive) pelvic floor, where the muscles are already too tight. In these cases, doing more strengthening exercises can increase tension, worsen pain, and aggravate symptoms like urinary urgency or painful intercourse. Without proper instruction, you might engage your buttocks or inner thighs instead of your pelvic floor, hold your breath and create downward pressure, or overtrain muscles that are already too tight. Some women need to learn to relax their pelvic floor rather than strengthen it further.
How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Makes a Difference
A pelvic floor physiotherapist begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand your specific concerns, which may include an internal examination when appropriate. From there, you receive a personalized exercise program based on whether your muscles need strengthening, relaxation, or coordination training. You also gain valuable education about lifestyle factors, bladder habits, and practical strategies for managing symptoms.
Taking the First Step
Pelvic floor issues are common, but that does not mean you have to accept them as normal or inevitable. You deserve support and effective solutions. Book a confidential consultation with our pelvic floor physiotherapist to start your journey toward better pelvic health.