Pelvic floor health isn’t something most women give much thought to until they get pregnant or until problems start. The fact is, your pelvic floor is crucial, and more attention should be paid to this important muscle group.1 in 4 women suffer from pelvic floor disorders.
Where is your pelvic floor?
Your pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. The pelvic floor also helps control your bowels and keeps you from leaking urine when you sneeze or cough.
How does it get weak?
As you age, your pelvic floor can weaken. This can happen for a number of reasons, including pregnancy and childbirth, being overweight, having chronic constipation or diarrhea, and even the simple act of aging.
When your pelvic floor is weak, you may start to experience problems such as incontinence (leaking urine or stool), pelvic organ prolapse (when your organs drop due to weakened muscles), and sexual dysfunction.
There are a few tell-tale signs that your pelvic floor may be weak. If you leak urine when you cough, sneeze, or exercise, have difficulty controlling your bowels or feel like you’re sitting on a ball, these may all be signs of a weak pelvic floor.
If I pee when I sneeze, do I have a weak pelvic floor?
It’s possible. The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that support the bladder and bowel. When these muscles are strong and healthy, they help to prevent incontinence (leakage of urine or feces). As we age, the pelvic floor can weaken, which can lead to incontinence.
If you have recently had a baby, you may need to exercise to regain your pelvic floor muscle tone. If you haven’t had a baby and you find yourself leaking, you may need help strengthening your pelvic floor.
Read about how Chiropractic care can help postpartum women.
How does the pelvic floor affect sex?
A weak pelvic floor can lead to sexual dysfunction in both men and women. A weak pelvic floor can cause erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men. In women, a weak pelvic floor can lead to a decrease in sensation during sex and pain during intercourse.
Pelvic floor disorders can affect relationships as well as your physical health, but there are ways to improve your pelvic floor health.
How can chiropractic care help?
Your pelvic floor health is so important, and that’s why we talk about it with many women in the office!
Chiropractic care can help to relieve some of the pressure on your pelvic floor by aligning your spine and pelvis. This can help to take some of the strain off of your muscles and tissues and allow them to heal and repair themselves. Chiropractic care can also help improve your overall posture, which can also help reduce strain on your pelvic floor.
In addition to chiropractic care, you can do several other things to help strengthen your pelvic floor. These include doing pelvic floor exercises, such as kegel exercises, and avoiding activities that strain your pelvic floor, such as lifting heavy objects or sitting for long periods of time.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
It is important to take care of your pelvic floor health as you age! Don’t wait until it becomes too difficult for you or causes pain before getting help. If you think your pelvic floor may be weak, schedule a consultation today so we can help you get back on the right track.
