The Pelvic Floor

The Pelvic Floor

Active floor muscles are very important to both men and  women throughout life, poorly controlled muscles can lead to prolapse and loss of bladder or bowel control. Physiotherapists trained in continence management can assess your pelvic floor muscles and if necessary, help you regain control.

What do pelvic floor muscles do?

The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, uterus, vagina and bowel. They form a muscular and elastic floor across the bottom of the pelvis. When tightened, the muscles lift the organs and constrict their openings. The muscles relax to empty the bladder and bowel. Stretching of these muscles during childbirth and straining with constipation sometimes causes muscle damage and leads to incontinence. As there may be other reasons for loss of bladder and bowel control, professional advice should be sought for all incontinence problems.

Signs of poorly controlled pelvic floor muscles

• Leaking urine when squeezing, coughing, running, laughing (or other sudden actions).
• Not getting to the toilet in time.
• Tampons don't stay in place.
• Vaginal or anal wind (flatus) when bending and lifting.
• Bulging felt at the vaginal opening (prolapse).
• Difficulty emptying the bowel completely.

You need special attention if you

• Are pregnant or a new mother.
• Are menopausal.
• Lift heavy objects often.
• Suffer from constipation.
• Are overweight.
• Cough frequently.
• Have a low backache.
• Go to the toilet often to pass small amounts of urine.

Benefits of pelvic floor control

• Active lifestyle without wet or soiled plants.
• Control of wind (flatus).
• Firm vagina.
• A sense of control!

You can help yourself by

• Drinking two litres of fluid each day
• Minimising coffee, tea and cola drinks.
• Staying within a healthy weight range.
• Seeking help for a chronic cough which makes your bladder problems worse.
• Avoiding straining with constipation.

Don't put up with incontinence - it can be cured! 

How physiotherapy can help

Some physiotherapists have special training skills and experience incontinence management. They can help if you have incontinence, constipation or prolapse, or simply want to learn how to use your pelvic floor muscles correctly and safely. Many women are unable to use their pelvic floor muscles correctly unless they receive individual pelvic floor muscle testing and training - simply trying to tighten the muscles is normal.
Physiotherapy teaches you how to:

• Exercise your pelvic floor muscles correctly.
• Retrain pelvic floor muscles.
• Regain pelvic floor muscles while sneezing, coughing, laughing and lifting.
• Maintain pelvic floor control.
  It is also important to learn to use abdominal muscles correctly while exercising the pelvic floor. 

Source of information - APA