Signs of a Weak Pelvic Floor & How to Fix It
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, a substantial number of women between the ages of 19 and 30 were unaware of the symptoms and causes of a weak pelvic floor. This shows that many women are living life in pain and discomfort brought on by pelvic floor disorders that are likely treatable. If you don’t know the signs of a weak pelvic floor, now is the time to learn, assess yourself, and take action to fix it.
Your pelvic floor is one of the most important parts of the body. It provides support and stability to the rest of your body. It also houses and protects important organs such as the bladder, vagina, rectum, and more. Understanding when something isn’t quite right with your pelvic floor can help prevent further damage to that area, thus creating hardship on other body parts that are supported by it.
At Pillar Physio – Georgetown, Texas, we believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to live life with lasting relief. When you come to Pillar Physio for pelvic floor therapy, you can count on receiving an individualized treatment plan that is specific to your body’s needs and goals. Contact us today to schedule your assessment with one of our highly skilled pelvic floor therapists.
Related: 6 Hacks to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor: Feel Better Faster
5 Signs of a Weak Pelvic Floor
Use the following guide to understand the signs of a weak pelvic floor. These tips will help you seek treatment sooner and prevent further complications.
Pain or Discomfort During Intercourse
For generations, many women have been led to believe that pain during intercourse was just part of life. Some women believe that if they have given birth at any point in their life, pain is just a natural part of the body’s aging. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Pain or discomfort during intercourse is a sign of a weak pelvic floor. Thankfully, there are ways to treat this so that you don’t have to dread an experience that is supposed to feel good. A weak pelvic floor isn’t a life sentence.
Leaking Urine
Urinating on yourself accidentally is a big sign that something isn’t right. When you laugh, sneeze, or cough, it isn’t normal to leak urine in any capacity. This experience means you have a weak pelvic floor that needs attention.
Bulge Feeling in the Vagina
Prolapse is when the muscles or organs in the pelvic floor descend into the vagina. This feels like a bulge coming out from that part of your body. Prolapse can cause pain and discomfort. Instead of ignoring this feeling or hoping it goes away on its own, you can receive treatment and get your body back to feeling better.
Gas or Poop Escaping
Don’t be embarrassed to admit if something is going wrong in this part of your body. If you are experiencing gas and/or poop escaping and you have no control over it, this could be a sign of a weak pelvic floor. This is known as fecal incontinence, and it shouldn’t be ignored.
Lower Back Pain
Likely one of the most overlooked signs of a weak pelvic floor is lower back pain. Many women assume they slept wrong or pulled a muscle, so they ignore the pain. However, this pain doesn’t go away and can worsen if not addressed. Lower back pain is one of the key symptoms that the pelvis needs attention.
Related: 4 Ways the Nervous System and Pelvic Floor Are Connected
How to Fix a Weak Pelvic Floor
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to fix a weak pelvic floor. Discover some tips below to begin healing.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
The best way to heal a weak pelvic floor is to participate in pelvic floor therapy. A trained pelvic floor therapist can assess your body, create a treatment plan, and help you strengthen your pelvic floor using their knowledge and skills. You don’t have to do this alone.
At Pillar Physio, we have helped countless women in our community restore their pelvic floor and lead healthy, pain-free lives. Working with us means you will get the treatment you need. We provide hands-on, whole-body treatment because you are more than just your pelvis. Your health is our priority.
Exercise
Strength training is an exceptional approach to fixing a weak pelvic floor. However, it is best to consult a professional, like a pelvic floor therapist, to help guide you on the best exercises and how to begin with a weak pelvic floor. You don’t want to make your symptoms worse by overexerting yourself.
Related: 7 Common Pelvic Floor Therapy Exercises and How to Do Them
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type is helpful for the pelvic floor. Being overweight applies additional pressure to the pelvis, which can weaken even more. Partner with your health care provider to make a plan for weight management, such as establishing a nutrition plan or creating a plan to become more active.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is essential to the human body. The pelvic floor is no exception. To assist in strengthening your pelvic floor, staying hydrated should be part of the plan.
Hydration allows the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic floor to gently slide against one another for optimal performance. Dehydration can cause those muscles and ligaments to stick, causing pain and discomfort and limiting your range of motion.
A Weak Pelvic Floor Can Be Healed
The causes of a weak pelvic floor are numerous. You may or may not know the reason why your pelvic floor has weakened. However, you can take steps to strengthen and heal it. You don’t have to suffer through the pain and discomfort.
Contact Pillar Physio today to schedule your assessment and begin the journey to feeling your best. Your pelvic floor health impacts your overall health. You deserve the best because your family and community need you. Let Pillar Physio lead you to recovery.
