Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- leaking when you sneeze, cough, run or laugh?
- pressure or heaviness in your pelvis area?
- pain when you wee?
- constipation or straining?
- lower back pain or pelvic spasm?
- painful periods or endometriosis?
- discomfort during sexual intercourse?
These issues are common, but not normal. Fortunately, there are quick and cost-effective solutions available to help you feel in control again.
What is your pelvic floor?
Your pelvic floor is a layer of muscles that assist in supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel, and uterus in women) and spans the bottom of the pelvis.
The pelvic floor muscles stretch like a muscular trampoline from the pubic bone to the tail bone (coccyx) front to back, and sideways from one sitting bone to the other sitting bone. These muscles are normally firm and thick. The pelvic floor muscle layer has a hole for passages to pass through. There are three passages in women these are the urethra, vagina, and anus.
The pelvic floor muscles normally assist with keeping these passages shut, there is also an extra circular muscle around the anus (the anal sphincter) and around the urethra (the urethral sphincter) to assist with closure of these passages. Although the pelvic floor is hidden from view, it is a muscle and therefore can be consciously controlled and trained, much like our arm, leg or abdominal muscles.
What are some signs of pelvic floor problems?
- Leakage of urine, faeces or wind
- Urgency or leaking when getting to the toilet
- Constantly needing to go to the toilet
- Difficulty controlling bowel motions
- Inability to empty bladder or bowel completely
- Dragging or heavy sensation in the pelvis
- A bulge in the vagina
- Lack of sensation during sexual intercourse
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Pain in your pelvic area
How do problems occur?
If you experience any of the signs of pelvic floor problems, such as leakage of urine, faeces, or wind, difficulty controlling bowel motions, or pain in your pelvic area, it may be due to weakened, stretched, or too tight pelvic floor muscles. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including aging, altered hormone levels, heavy lifting, pregnancy and childbirth, constipation, coughing, and being overweight.
When people are unable to relax their pelvic floor this can cause issues such as:
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary urgency
What is the importance of a pelvic floor check-up?
If you have any signs of a pelvic floor issue then you should come in to get your pelvic floor checked. Prevention Is Better Than Cure.
However even if you have no issues prevention is better than cure if you are pregnant, just delivered a child or perhaps starting a new stage of life (for example menopause), come into Wisdom Physiotherapy to see how well your pelvic floor is moving and learn what you can do to keep your pelvic floor strong before problems arise.
What does a check-up with a Women’s Health Physiotherapist include?
To prevent issues or address existing problems, a pelvic floor check-up with a Women’s Health Physiotherapist is essential. This includes a thorough subjective and objective assessment, real-time ultrasound to check your pelvic floor lift and technique, and education on specific exercises. By taking action now, you can keep your pelvic floor strong and avoid further problems in the future. Don’t wait for the problem to worsen, come in and let us help you sort it out.
To make a pelvic floor physio appointment, call us on (08) 9384 1555 or click here to book online.
To make an appointment, call our Claremont physio clinic on (08) 9384 1555 or our Nedlands physio clinic on (08) 6389 2947.
