The pelvic floor muscles are an internal group of muscles inside the pelvis. They support the bladder, bowel and uterus (in women) by acting as a ‘hammock’ underneath these organs and they control the opening and closing of the openings of these organs.
The pelvic floor muscles can get weak or become too tight (where they cannot relax) as a result of:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Lifestyle – sedentary lifestyle, overweight
- Heavy lifting
- Chronic coughing or sneezing
- Chronic constipation and having to strain to use the toilet
- Older age when all muscle loses mass and strength
When the pelvic floor muscles become dysfunctional in any way, you can end up with any of these issues:
- Stress incontinence – involuntary leaking of urine or faeces during times of increased intra-abdominal pressure like coughing, sneezing, jumping, running
- Urge incontinence – involuntary leaking of urine or faeces while trying to make it to the toilet
- Prolapse – the bladder, uterus or bladder ‘sag’ down into the vagina (in women). It feels like a feeling of heaviness, dragging or a bulge. In men, it’s feeling a bulge sensation in the rectum.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels
- Pelvic girdle and lower back pain
- Painful sex
The best treatment for pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is an exercise program. Like any other muscle group, the pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened with a customised training program aimed at improving strength and endurance to address individual concerns.
