It’s probably a question you have asked yourself when you’re in the depths of despair – embracing yet another leak with a cough or a sneeze. Afraid to laugh too hard because you know you’ll wet yourself or you’ve given up on running or jumping for life. The trampoline is your sworn enemy.

You’ve probably heard of this term pelvic floor dysfunction and asking what exactly does that mean? Essentially, it’s when your pelvic floor muscles aren’t working properly. They are’t doing the job they are supposed to do. It’s very common and can affect people of all ages and gender but it doesn’t have to be the “normal”.

Here are some factors that put you at a higher risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction:

• Being overweight puts additional pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, and sometimes they don’t have the strength or control to counter the effects.

• Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken and stretch the pelvic floor muscles as well as the surrounding ligaments and soft tissue, leading to pelvic floor dysfunction.

• Aging – As we age, like any muscles the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding soft tissue can weaken and have less elasticity, increasing the risk of dysfunction.

• Constipation – Straining for a bowel movement especially chronically can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and lead to dysfunction. 

• Chronic coughing can put pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, leading to dysfunction.

• Engaging in high-impact activities, such as running or jumping, can put additional strain on the pelvic floor muscles and increase the risk of dysfunction un less you know how to adequately activate your muscles prior to jumping or sneezing. We do have a solution for peezing to get you back to running and jumping as you wish. Get our “Ditch your Peezing Guide“. 

• Previous pelvic surgery: Any surgery that involves the pelvic area can cause trauma, scar tissue and can weaken the pelvic floor muscles increasing the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction.

• Genetic predisposition: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to weak pelvic floor muscles, which increases the risk of dysfunction. Which is why we love a good high quality liquid marine type 1 and 3 collagen supplement like the “Collagen Elixir” Mel swears by.

One of the biggest risk facts is the increase in intra-abdominal pressure acting downwards inside your body that the pelvic floor muscles have to counter with their strength and co-ordination. This increased pressure over time is what can cause disruptions in the pelvic floor muscles connection, strength and sometimes in the muscles being able to relax as well.