The muscles of the pelvic floor support the uterus, bladder, and colon. They are crucial for sexual function and help avoid prolapse and bladder and bowel incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, prostate cancer treatment, obesity, the strain of chronic constipation, and many other factors relating to the pelvic region weakens the pelvic floor. In this article, we will discuss the causes of weak pelvic floor muscles, how to identify early signs of weak pelvic floor muscles, and preventative measures to contain them.
What factors lead to weak pelvic floor muscles?
Pelvic floor muscle changes, which can lead to issues, can be a result of ageing, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, chronic constipation, or prostate cancer surgery. Pelvic floor muscles weaken suddenly by not keeping them active or overworking them, a history of back pain, straining to empty the bowels, heavy lifting (at the gym or at work), persistent sneezing or coughing (caused by hay fever, smoking, or asthma), or a history of pelvic trauma (falls, surgeries, or pelvic radiation).
How does pelvic floor dysfunction occur?
Being unable to properly relax and coordinate your pelvic floor muscles is namely a pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor problems can occur when the pelvic floor muscles are stretched, weakened, or too tight. Some people have weak pelvic floor muscles from an early age, while others notice problems after certain life stages, such as pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause. Some people are unable to relax because their pelvic floor muscles are excessively stiff. Exercises that involve tightening the muscles excessively without learning how to relax might exacerbate this. Numerous factors influence the health of the pelvic floor muscles.
What are the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction?
Common signs and symptoms that can indicate pelvic floor dysfunction manifest as follows: accidentally leaking urine when you exercise, laugh, cough or sneeze, needing to get to the toilet in rush or failing to arrive in time, having a continual urge to use the restroom, having trouble voiding urine from body, accidently losing intestinal or bladder control and passing wind.
A prolapse is more common among women. This may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging, or dropping. While in men, this may be felt as a bulge in the rectum or a feeling of needing to use their bowels but not actually needing to go. For both sexes, other issues associated with having a weak, yet hyperactive pelvic floor include pain during sexual activity, urination, and constipation. Although prevalent, pelvic pain is abnormal and treatable.
What are the pelvic floor dysfunction treatment options?
There are few treatment options available, where one can treat pelvic floor dysfunction without surgery. A physiotherapist can help you identify which pelvic floor muscles are too tense. They can provide you with stretches to lengthen these muscles and enhance your coordination. The pelvic floor muscles can be toned and tightened with simple Kegel exercises. To maintain soft, regular bowel motions, you might require daily medicine. Stool softeners are among the over the counter (OTC) drugs that are part of this list.
Biofeedback is the most common treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. It usually occurs alongside physical therapy and may use sensors and video to monitor your pelvic floor muscles as you relax or clench them. Doctors also recommend relaxation techniques such as meditation, warm baths, yoga and exercises, or acupuncture to relieve tension in your pelvic floor muscles. Your doctor could advise you to consult a pain injection specialist if biofeedback and physical therapy are ineffective. These doctors can pinpoint the specific muscles that are overly tense. They’ll use a small needle to inject numbing medications to relax them.
To improve muscle strength and flexibility there are pelvic floor exercises. You can also have pelvic floor issues if they are working too hard or are overactive. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles will help you actively support your bladder and bowel. As a result, you will have better control over your bladder and bowel movements and are less likely to accidentally leak fluid. Some abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups, crunches, or double leg lowering, can do more harm than good. Advanced abdominal exercises can cause ‘bearing down’ and weaken your pelvic floor. However, there are safe core strength exercise options, such as: Modified plank (balancing on your knees) is important for both male and female.
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