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Can Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Be Cured?

Can Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Be Cured?

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. 

mum walking confidently with her family
So can it be cured?

Essentially Yes. Minimising your risk factors will absolutely help but also learning how to activate your pelvic floor muscles.

Learning to activate them prior to sneezing or coughing and getting them strong enough to work and support your core with exercise, yes even with jumping. 

The research still suggests the first line of treatment to be a pelvic floor exercise program. One like ours here at Perfect Pelvic Floor starts with simple static exercises and diaphragm breathing to help you find your muscles with lots of cues I’m sure you’ll find one that works for you. As everyone is different.

Then progressing to movement based exercises with pelvic floor and core control. And finally through to functional exercises with your pelvic floor and core working with you as you know how to control your muscles. 

Also consider a high quality liquid marine collagen that is based on type 1 and 3 collagen to help with soft tissue and muscle repair. (Read More on Collagen)

There are other options including pessary if you’re feeling the dysfunction has structural component of a prolapse which your nurse or women’s health physiotherapist can fit you for the correct pessary. (Read More on Pessaries)  

Get started with our easiest and first exercise the “Vagina Winks“. 

Vagina Winks

Find out why our Vagina Winks are the first step to stopping your leakage and having better sex!

vagina winks woman

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