Why Pelvic Floor Health Matters for Every Woman

Pelvic floor health is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of women’s overall well-being. The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in supporting internal organs, maintaining bladder and bowel control, and ensuring sexual health. Yet, many women are unaware of the importance of maintaining strength and flexibility in this area, leading to preventable issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, or even prolapse.

In this article, Meghan Hannig, physical therapist at Riverside Healthcare, offers helpful information on the significance of pelvic floor health, identify common challenges women face, and shares practical tips to promote strength and resilience in these essential muscles.

Significance of the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a group of skeletal muscles that, like those in the arms or legs, should be soft and relaxed when not in use and free from pain. Dysfunction in these muscles can lead to issues such as pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, or difficulty with bowel and bladder control.

“Unfortunately, this is an area of women’s health that is still often overlooked, where they are being told that some of these symptoms are just normal and are what to expect after childbirth or with time. A lot of women aren't aware it's very treatable and you don't have to live with those conditions. So, that's where we come in,” states Hannig. Raising such awareness and providing support is crucial to improving women’s quality of life.

Symptoms of a Weakened Pelvic Floor

Symptoms of a weakened pelvic floor vary. For example, stress incontinence, characterized by leaking during activities like coughing, sneezing, or laughing, is common but not normal and can be treated with pelvic floor therapy. Similarly, urgency-related leaks, frequent nighttime bathroom trips (more than once per night after age 55 without medical causes), and excessive daytime urination are also treatable.

Other issues, such as pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, or complications from conditions like endometriosis, respond well to pelvic rehabilitation. While constipation and diarrhea may sometimes involve dietary or medication factors, they too can benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy. These conditions highlight the importance of seeking treatment rather than accepting them as unavoidable.

“It doesn't matter how old you are. If you have the ability to engage the muscles, meaning you don't have a neurological condition, or significant damage from say radiation or an accident, you are able to engage the pelvic floor and you can treat pelvic floor symptoms. You can strengthen them. You can relax them. Whatever the issue is, you are never ever too old to treat it,” assures Hannig.

How Does Pelvic Floor PT Differ from Traditional Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor therapy often involves addressing sensitive issues like pelvic pain, sexual health, and trauma. In cases involving trauma, therapists encourage patients to seek talk therapy alongside treatment, as unresolved trauma can have long-term physical effects.

Unlike typical physical therapy, which focuses on large, visible muscles and strength goals, pelvic floor therapy emphasizes neuromuscular control, helping patients isolate and engage these muscles effectively for functional improvements. This specialized approach highlights the nuanced and delicate nature of pelvic floor rehabilitation.

“I think people don't realize how many other parts of the body we are treating when we're looking at the pelvic floor. It's not just us doing a vaginal assessment for the whole session. It's certainly not just Kegels, ever. There's always more to think about,” explains Hannig. “Other muscles play a role, in the hips, the abdominals, the back muscles, your inner thigh muscles, all of those are important. If those aren't doing their job properly, the pelvic floor might be compensating.”

Preventative Measures

To protect pelvic floor health, Hannig cautions against stopping urine midstream frequently, as this disrupts the natural reflexes and communication between the brain, spinal cord, and pelvic floor. Instead, focus on positive habits: maintain good posture by sitting upright, avoid holding your breath during movements (using techniques like "blow as you go"), and engage in regular exercise such as walking or light hip exercises.

These practices help reduce unnecessary abdominal pressure, prevent strain on the pelvic floor, and promote overall body mobility.

Help Is Available

Many women feel uncomfortable broaching the topic of pelvic floor issues with their physician and thus suffer in silence. Hannig encourages any woman who is experiencing symptoms to reach out for professional help.

“If you feel like you're alone in it, you're not. There are so many of us who have experienced these issues,” she shares. “Even if we haven't had a baby, even if we haven't had anything we know of that could be causing this problem, you deserve to have this addressed in a way that doesn't necessarily require medication or other kinds of treatments. It's very conservative treatment in the sense that you're able to manage it yourself, forever, as long as you know what to do.”

For more information about pelvic floor therapy at Riverside click here.