Is the Pelvic Floor Hype Legit or Just a Health Buzz?
The pelvic floor is a hot subject these days and it seems like it is popping up in articles, women are talking about it over wine, and we are hearing about it more than ever. So, why is that? Is the buzz alive and real for a reason or is it just being used as a marketing ploy to get you to spend money to fix something that doesn’t really matter?
The fact of the matter is that women (and men!) are greatly affected by their pelvic floor health and the more we can talk about it the more we can help others live a life that is free of leaking, pain, and a wide variety of other symptoms that can arise when our pelvic floors are not functioning optimally.
What Women Need to Know About Their Pelvic Floor Health
LEAKING IS COMMON BUT NOT NORMAL!
We hear over and over again from past generations, friends, and well-meaning family members that “it is common to leak urine once you become a mother.” This is NOT normal! Since when did it become normal to pee our pants? We spend years and years as a toddler learning how not to pee our pants, but once we have a baby then it’s okay?
It is common after carrying a baby for nine months to have issues with your pelvic floor, and to possibly experience leaking, discomfort, or pain. pelvic floor (PF) physiotherapists are trained to specifically assess, diagnose, and treat pelvic floor dysfunctions and it is highly recommended that all women see a trained PF physio during pregnancy and after.
Can Kegels not correct the problem?
Yes. Sometimes. Though Kegels can actually make the problem worse sometimes too. When leaking or other dysfunctions are occurring it doesn’t always mean that our pelvic floors are too weak and that is why the issues are occurring. Having hypertonic pelvic floors, pelvic floors that are too tight and always in a contracted state can cause leaking as well. Only a pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess whether your pelvic floor is hyper or hypotonic, and then prescribe a protocol that fits your needs.
I don’t leak, can other problems also be related to Pelvic Floor health?
Yes! Our pelvic floors work with our transverse abdominals, diaphragm, and multifidus. When any one of those four is not working optimally it can have an impact on how the others are working as well.
So now what?
Seeing a properly certified physiotherapist can ensure that you are properly assessed and any issues can be rectified. Another great benefit to seeing a trained individual is that areas of your body that may be weak and cause harm in the future can be dealt with before the issues progress.
Take control of your health and keep spreading the buzz about pelvic floor health!
