The treatment, which is designed according to the needs of the patient, may contain electrical stimulation sessions to reduce pain and an exercise plan for neuromuscular re-education.
To better understand what area is covered by the so-called pelvic floor, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center explains that “the pelvic floor muscles make up the lower part of the pelvis and support the pelvic organs. They are the muscles you would use to stop the stream of urine or prevent passing gas or having a bowel movement. They are also the muscles that can be contracted (tightened) during an orgasm.”
What factors cause pelvic floor disorders
Los National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the USA raise several factors that can cause conditions in the pelvic floor in women. First, pregnancy and childbirth are “a very active area of research,” and according to some studies, “the risk increases with the number of children a woman has.” In addition, “the risk might be higher if forceps or vacuum cups were used during delivery.”
Second, “factors that put pressure on the pelvic floor,” such as being overweight or obese, chronic constipation and straining to move the bowel, and chronic cough caused by smoking or other health problems.”
Third, there is aging. The area “can weaken as a woman ages. However, this weakening does not happen to all women.
The fourth point involves having weaker tissues: “Genes and race affect the strength of a woman’s bones, muscles, and connective tissues. Women born with genetically weaker tissues are more likely to have pelvic organ prolapse.” As a curious fact, “African-American women may have a lower risk of pelvic organ prolapse than women of other races.”
A fifth factor is that “using radiation to a woman’s pelvic area to treat endometrial, cervical, or other types of cancer can damage the tissues and muscles of the pelvic floor.”
And in sixth place are “hysterectomy and previous surgery to correct the prolapse.”
As referred to by page NIH, “Pelvic floor disorders affect women of all ages. Experts estimate that 1 in 3 women in the United States has a pelvic floor condition. But because so many women don’t report it to their doctor, it’s probably much more common.”
This last point is also corroborated by the page of Health Services de Los Angeles County: “On average, women do not usually tell their doctors that they have problems with incontinence until 7 years following onset.”
That is why it is essential to address the problem in the early stages and maintain an open dialogue with primary care doctors to be referred to a specialist in time and start physical therapy. Health providers emphasize the possibility that patients have, if they feel embarrassed, request that a woman care for them.
Kegel exercises
First of all, there is a first process of recognition of these muscles, so that when contracting them you only work in that area, and avoid contracting the buttocks, thighs or abdomen. To make it, MedlinePlus recommends that “the next time you have to urinate, start and then stop. Feel the muscles in your vagina, bladder, or anus tense and rise. They are the pelvic floor muscles.
After achieving this muscular isolation, one of the exercises proposes doing two to three daily sessions, for which a comfortable position should be found, preferably lying down or sitting, and following emptying the bladder. With practice, you will be comfortable doing them while standing and during other tasks.
Breathing is important in this exercise, just as it is in gym sessions. First you have to inhale, and when you exhale the muscles of the pelvic floor begin to contract for regarding 5 seconds. Then you have to inhale once more while relaxing the muscles. This can be repeated regarding 10 times per session.
Now, as MedlinePlus stresses, “don’t make a habit of exercising every time you urinate. Once you feel you can identify the muscles comfortably, do the exercises while sitting down, but NOT while urinating.”
According to that page, “following 4 to 6 weeks, most people see an improvement, but it can take up to 3 months to see a significant change.”
As explained on the NIH page, urinary incontinence is often addressed in a combined way. For example, a woman may need Kegel exercises and surgical treatment.
