Who’s in Control? You or Your Pelvic Floor
Do you feel like you have a small bladder? Are you constantly needing to go to the toilet? Do you have difficulty going when you’re at the toilet? Are you avoiding certain movements due to leaking?
Did you know that there are things you can do to help manage and improve the concerns mentioned above? Let us go on a journey to better understand the pelvic floor.
Our pelvic floor organs include the bladder, the bowel and for women, the uterus. These organs are supported by our pelvic floor muscles. The larger pelvic floor muscles are like a sling holding up the pelvic floor organs and the smaller pelvic floor muscles have an important role in opening and closing sphincter, i.e. they control our toileting habits.
Red Flags 🚩
Now we have a better understanding of the role of our pelvic floor, how do we know when we might have pelvic floor dysfunction? Below are some red flags for you to keep an eye out for!
Lack of sensation/loss of control
This can occur when there has been trauma to the pelvic floor. Can you feel yourself wipe after going toilet? Is there good sensation below with sexual activity? Loss of control also involves urination, bowel movement as well as passing of gas.
Bleeding after menopause
If you find yourself bleeding/spotting after menopause it is important to go see a specialist.
Blood in urine/stool
It is so important to look before you flush! There should not be any blood in urine or stool at any time.
Pain
This includes pain with urination/defecation/sex. Also keep an eye out for any lower back pain which occurs when going toilet.
Recurrent infections
Many people get UTIs and yeast infections, but if you experience this more than three times a year then make an appointment with a specialist.
Difficulty emptying the bladder
This can often be a sign of an organ prolapse. Difficulty emptying the bladder includes difficulty getting started, difficulty emptying completely, or having to get up multiple times during the night to urinate.
Changes in bowel habits
If there are sudden changes to bowel habits, like frequency, unexplained diarrhoea/constipation or incomplete emptying, these are all red flags which warrant a visit to a pelvic health specialist
Leaking when you cough/sneeze/exercise
This is common, especially for women who have given birth. However, just because it is common, that does not mean it is normal! And it is not fair for women to have to just “put up with it”.
Feeling of heaviness/bulging in vagina
This could be a sign of a prolapse, there are different levels/severities of prolapses and, again, it is not something we should have to “put up with”.
Keep in mind that men can also experience pelvic floor dysfunction!
Breaking the taboo
When you are feeling unwell or experience pain in your body you are likely to seek professional help. Our pelvic floor is also an important part of our body, so why is it that many people just ‘live’ with pelvic floor dysfunction without seeking help?
There is commonly shame or embarrassment associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, but did you know that as many as one in three women and 10% of men will experience some form of pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime. So if you have noticed any of those red flags mentioned above, pick up your phone and book in with a pelvic floor specialist!
Did you also know that exercise can help improve pelvic health dysfunction? As mentioned before, our pelvic floor consists of muscles and organs! So similarly to strengthening our arms and legs, we can also strength our pelvic floor! So please do let your exercise physiologists know if you are experiencing any pelvic floor dysfunction! Let’s all be more comfortable discussing our pelvic health and receive support so we can be in control again!
Contact Us to get help today!