Pelvic floor health
16 September 2022
The pelvic floor is an important group of muscles located at the very base of our torso. They’re not as glamorous as their near neighbours, the ‘abdominals’ (the ones that make up a ‘six-pack’), or as well-known as the gluteals (buttocks), but their job is arguably a lot more important. Many of us, however don’t ever think about these hard-working, unseen muscles, until something goes wrong.
What is pelvic health?
The pelvic floor is an important group of muscles located at the very base of our torso. They’re not as glamorous as their near neighbours, the ‘abdominals’ (the ones that make up a ‘six-pack’), or as well-known as the gluteals (buttocks), but their job is arguably a lot more important. Many of us, however don’t ever think about these hard-working, unseen muscles, until something goes wrong.
Creating the floor of the pelvis (as the name suggests) this bunch of tissues and fibres is responsible for supporting everyone’s bowel and bladder, and in women, the vagina and uterus as well. They play a major role in helping to control the passing of urine and faeces by raising and lowering the excretory organs, and working with specific sphincter muscles to allow or prevent the flow of waste. If the muscles fail to relax or contract as required, problems can arise.
Importantly, the pelvic floor is also critical for women’s sexual health and enjoyment.
What can go wrong?
Like any muscle group, the pelvic floor can stop functioning as it should, and for a whole range of reasons. These include:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Obesity and inactivity
- Long-term constipation
- Prostate or gynaecological surgery
- Chronic coughing
- Over-exertion including some sports and gym work
- The natural aging process.
As you can see from the list above, pelvic floor issues are not just women’s issues.
Any of these conditions can cause weakening, tightening or dysfunction in the muscles, and in turn this can lead to symptoms, such as:
- Losing some control over bodily functions such as urination, defecation and passing wind. This can result in not being able to empty your bowel or bladder when you want, or alternatively, not being able to hold on or get to the toilet on time.
- A prolapse, which can feel like a heaviness, discomfort, or drooping in the pelvic area, a bulge in the vagina or rectum, or a sensation of needing to use the toilet when you don’t actually need to.
- An unexpected urine leak when you cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise
- Persistent bacterial or fungal infections in the urinary tract or vagina
- Pain, discomfort or even a loss of sensation during vaginal intercourse.
The good news is, pelvic floor dysfunction often responds well to non-invasive treatment and therapy.
Where to get help?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, your first port-of-call should be your GP or a trained continence nurse. They’ll conduct some diagnostic tests, which could be internal or external, and then recommend a treatment plan to either help strengthen or relax your pelvic floor muscles as required.
In most cases, this will start with a referral to a physiotherapist who specialises, or has had extra training, in pelvic health. They’ll guide you through a series of exercises designed to improve pelvic floor function over time, and may also suggest modifications to your day-to-day activities and habits, to help manage the symptoms in the meantime. These could be as simple as taking warm baths or taking up gentle yoga.
In more severe, complex or chronic cases, you may be prescribed medication to help relax the pelvic floor muscles, or your GP may refer you to a urologist, gynaecologist or colorectal surgeon – such as the highly experienced team of specialists here at Burnside Hospital.
It's important to remember that pelvic floor dysfunction is not necessarily something you ‘just have to live with.’ And the earlier you seek a diagnosis and treatment, the greater your chances of a successful outcome.
