How to deal with pelvic floor dysfunction
We need to talk about the pelvic floor. And in particular, pelvic floor dysfunction. Any sort of pelvic floor dysfunction can be challenging, embarrassing, and uncomfortable, and it can lead to problems with peeing, bowel movements, and sex. Pooping problems, and orgasm problems. Surely that’s enough to make you realize that pelvic floor dysfunction is NOT something you want to be dealing with? The good news is that pelvic floor dysfunction is actually relatively easy to avoid, or at least improve. So, undertaking a Kegel exercise regime could be a good January goal. Forget going to the gym every day, or finally doing the 5:2 diet. This is a new year, same you, but a better pelvic floor.
What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
If you’ve never heard of the pelvic floor and are wondering what on earth we’re talking about, we’ve got a short explanation. The pelvic floor muscles including the levator ani and the coccygeus are muscles in the bottom of your body that support what we call the “pelvic floor organs”. And pelvic floor dysfunction is aptly described as “the inability to control the muscles of your pelvic floor”. Pelvic floor dysfunction is most common in women (go figure, right ladies?) and is often experienced by expectant moms and new mamas. Symptoms include stress urinary incontinence, pelvic pressure or pain, dysfunctional bowel movements, and stool leakage. Basically, all the good stuff. ?
How do I know if I have pelvic floor dysfunction?
To know for sure that you have pelvic floor dysfunction, you will need to get a diagnosis from a doctor or health professional. Bear in mind that it’s much more likely if you’re older, have had multiple births or a traumatic birth, or have chronic health issues that increase pressure in the pelvis. According to Medical News Today, “research from National Institute of Health indicates that urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or both occur in about half of all women who have given birth and are closely associated with birth-related injury to the pelvic floor muscles”. So basically, this certainly ain’t a rare condition.
How to deal with pelvic floor dysfunction
The best way to deal with pelvic floor dysfunction and (fingers crossed) even avoid it in the first place, is to establish a routine of Kegel exercises. Using a device like Elvie Trainer can help you stay on track with your exercises and ensure you’re doing them correctly. Elvie Trainer helps you visualize a hidden set of muscles that support everything from core stability to bladder control, postnatal recovery, and intimate wellbeing. We’re not here to toot our own horns, but at Elvie, we’re considered experts on pelvic floor training, so take a look at our guide to Everything you need to know about the pelvic floor and Kegel exercises.
There are some other things that doctors might recommend which include:
More fiber in your diet and fluids to make bowel movements easier.
Muscle relaxing activities like yoga that will help relax the pelvic muscles.
Pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication if you’re suffering from painful pelvic spasms.
Surgery in some extreme cases.
Elvie Trainer to the rescue
With 1 in every 3 women experiencing pelvic floor problems during their lifetime, the award-winning Elvie Trainer is a fun and effective tool for building strength, so you get to the core of the problem.
