Why Pelvic Health Matters
Pelvic health is essential for overall well-being as the pelvic floor muscles play a critical role in:
- Core strength
- Bladder and bowel control
- Sexual function
- Circulation and fluid exchange
- Posture and skeletal support
As Peinado-Molina et al. (2023) state, strong pelvic floor muscles are essential for supporting your spine, preventing incontinence, and enhancing sexual health. Moreover, pelvic floor health is crucial during pregnancy and postpartum recovery, as it helps prevent pelvic organ prolapse, perineal tearing, and incontinence. Furthermore, optimizing your pelvic health can lead to a smoother recovery overall.
Pelvic Health & Mental Wellbeing
Additionally, addressing pelvic health issues can improve mental health by alleviating anxiety and social isolation caused by conditions such as incontinence or pelvic pain (Peinado-Molina et al., 2023). Prioritizing your pelvic health can lead to a healthier, more confident, and fulfilling life.
Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
However, even though we recognize the importance of pelvic health for overall well-being, it remains shrouded in shame, misconceptions, and myths. Understanding the truths about pelvic health can lead to better care and treatment for those experiencing pelvic-health-related issues. Now, let’s debunk five common myths about pelvic health!
Myth #1: Pelvic Health Issues Only Affect Women
Myth: Pelvic health concerns exclusively affect women or those assigned female at birth.
Fact: Men and children can also experience pelvic health issues, including pelvic pain, incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction including long term hip and low back pain!
Everyone has a pelvis! And that means, pelvic health can affect every body, at any age, and all genders.
While it’s true pelvic health issues are often associated with women or individuals assigned female at birth (Davis & Kumar, 2003), because they experience childbirth and menopause, it doesn’t mean men and children are immune. Men can suffer from conditions like persistent pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, and incontinence.
Even children can experience pelvic floor dysfunction such as constipation, incontinence, bed wetting, and core-related conditions. Recognizing pelvic health is not gender or age-specific helps in addressing and treating these conditions across the lifespan.
Myth #2: Kegels or bust!
Myth: Kegels are the only type of pelvic floor exercise.
Fact: Pelvic floor exercises consist of more than Kegels (and in some instances, Kegels may worsen a condition!)
Kegels are exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs. By contracting and relaxing these muscles, Kegels can improve function and provide relief for various pelvic health issues in both men and women.
However, Kegels are just one part of pelvic floor exercise training, and they aren’t always the best fit for everyone. A comprehensive approach includes a thorough assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist and often goes beyond Kegels for effective results.
In some cases, like pelvic pain, certain sexual health conditions, or post-birth issues, Kegels can actually make things worse. These problems often come from overly tight pelvic floor muscles. A more holistic approach is needed. This might include lengthening exercises, muscle release, and targeted strengthening.
The key takeaway? There’s much more to pelvic floor exercise training than just Kegels, and a personalized approach with an experienced pelvic floor physiotherapist is essential for optimal results.
Myth #3: Leakage Is a Normal Part of Aging
Myth: Urinary or fecal incontinence is an inevitable part of getting older.
Fact: Although incontinence becomes more common with age, it is not normal and can often be treated or managed with pelvic floor therapy and lifestyle changes.
Leakage should not be accepted as a normal part of aging. Although aging does increase the risk of incontinence due to factors like weakened pelvic muscles, hormonal changes, medications, and chronic conditions (Goepel et al., 2010), effective treatments are available. These include pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, dietary adjustments, and, in some cases, medical interventions such as surgery, medications, or devices like the Uresta or a pessary. (Goepel et al., 2010).
Pelvic floor therapy is a minimally invasive option that can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults by reducing or even eliminating leakage symptoms (Goepel et al., 2010). In fact, pelvic floor physio is the gold standard treatment for incontinence, rated more effective than surgery. It’s essential to seek help rather than assume incontinence is something to live with. Your quality of life will thank you for it!
Myth #4: Pain During Sexual Activity Is Normal
Myth: Experiencing pain with sexual activity is normal, especially after childbirth.
Fact: Pain with sexual activity is not normal and can be a sign of underlying pelvic floor issues, which can often be addressed with proper treatment and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
Many women believe that pain during intercourse, especially postpartum, is something they just have to live with. However, while painful sex may be common it is not normal and should be addressed (Tayyeb & Gupta, 2023).
According to Sorensen et al. (2018), pain with sexual activity can be caused by various factors, including:
- Pelvic floor muscle tension
- Scar tissue from childbirth
- Hormonal changes
- Infections
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can be a valuable treatment for pain with sexual activities. Your pelvic health physio can work with you to:
- Release scar tissue
- Retrain pelvic floor muscle mechanics
- Lengthen your pelvic floor muscles
- Discuss options for vaginal dryness as a result of hormonal changes
- And more
Pelvic floor physical therapy can identify and treat the underlying causes of pain with sexual activities, leading to more enjoyable sexual experiences.
Myth #5: Pelvic Floor Issues Are Always Obvious
Myth: Problems with the pelvic floor will always present with clear and noticeable symptoms.
Fact: Pelvic floor dysfunction can sometimes have subtle or unrelated symptoms, such as lower back pain or hip discomfort, and may not always be immediately recognized as a pelvic floor muscle issue.
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction does not always manifest with obvious symptoms like bladder leakage or pelvic pain. In fact, sometimes the signs can be more subtle, such as persistent lower back pain, hip discomfort (Zhao & Zhao, 2013), or even digestive issues (Wang et al., 2010).
Because these symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, pelvic floor muscle problems often go undiagnosed. It’s important to consider that your pelvic floor muscles may contribute to your concern when experiencing unexplained pain or discomfort in the lower torso. A thorough assessment by a pelvic health physiotherapist can uncover issues that might otherwise be overlooked, leading to appropriate treatment and relief.
Last Thoughts
Debunking these common myths is a crucial step toward better understanding and treating pelvic health issues. Moreover, it also brings social awareness about the impacts and importance of your pelvic health. Pelvic health concerns aren’t limited to any gender or age group. Addressing them can significantly improve the quality of life across the lifespan.
If you or someone you know is experiencing pelvic health issues, seek help from a qualified pelvic health physiotherapist. They can assess your specific concerns and provide tailored treatment. Prioritizing pelvic health positively impacts all aspects of your well-being, making it an essential part of your health and self-care routine.
If you have questions relating to your pelvic health, please book an appointment with one of our experienced pelvic health physiotherapists, click here.
~The Bump Team
Bump Physio & Co is a community of health care providers dedicated to changing the way pelvic health and obstetrical services are delivered. Our two clinics locations are Port Moody and Langley BC, where we treat beyond the Bump and welcome clients from all stages and phases of life. Our team has advanced training in Pelvic Health, Orthopedics, Obstetrics, Clinical Pilates, and Active Rehabilitation.
Please follow us along on our socials @bumpphysio.co keep updated on all that is going on and for more information about how the Bump Community can help YOU!
Citations
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Cho, S. T., & Kim, K. H. (2021). Pelvic floor muscle exercise and training for coping with urinary incontinence. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 17(6), 379-387. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2142666.333
Davis, K., & Kumar, D. (2003). Pelvic floor dysfunction: A conceptual framework for collaborative patient-centred care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 43(6), 555-568. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02754.x
Dorey, G., Speakman, M., Feneley, R., Swinkels, A., Dunn, C., & Ewings, P. (2004). Randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor muscle exercises and manometric biofeedback for erectile dysfunction. The British Journal of General Practice, 54(508), 819-825. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1324914/
Goepel, M., Kirschner-Hermanns, R., Welz-Barth, A., Steinwachs, C., & Rübben, H. (2010). Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly: Part 3 of a Series of Articles on Incontinence. Deutsches ÄRzteblatt International, 107(30), 531-536. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2010.0531
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Lee, B. A., Kim, S. J., Choi, D. K., Kwon, O., Na, H. R., & Cho, S. T. (2017). Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise on Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Women With Cognitive Impairment. International Neurourology Journal, 21(4), 295-301. https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.1734956.478
Mayo Clinic. (2008). Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits.
Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074
Peinado Molina, R. A., Martínez, A. H., Vázquez, S. M., & Martínez Galiano, J. M. (2023). Influence of pelvic floor disorders on quality of life in women. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1180907
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Wang, J. Y., Varma, M. G., Creasman, J. M., Subak, L. L., Brown, J. S., Thom, D. H., & Van Den Eeden, S. K. (2010). Pelvic floor disorders and quality of life in women with self-reported irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 31(3), 424.
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