The Pelvic Floor is a set of muscles and connective tissue (ligaments) that close the pelvic cavity at the bottom. It is a structure in the form of an imaginary hanging bridge in which the sacrum bone is located at one end and the pubis at the other, forming the sacral-rectum-uric-genitopubic fascia supported by ligaments with adequate and maintained tension that perpetuate this inverted hammock shape or umbrella shape. Click here for pelvic floor physiotherapy toronto.
The set of muscles that compose it, located in the lower part of the abdomen, they help with supporting various organs in the area such as: bladder, uterus, vagina, rectum etc. The most important of those that forms the pelvic floor and responsible for the contraction of the vagina is the pubococcygeus muscle or also called “muscle of love” that plays an important role in sexual intercourse. Pelvic floor exercises are designed for the contraction of this muscle and the transverse muscle of the abdomen, another very important muscle in the treatment of incontinence and prolapse. In addition, these exercises improve the functioning of the glands responsible for lubrication production.Visit this site for pelvic floor physiotherapy toronto.
Main causes of pelvic floor risk
- Pregnancy and childbirth weaken the pelvic muscles due to the weight of the baby in the uterus and its passage through the vagina at the time of delivery.
- Exercising abdominals early, performing jumps or becoming pregnant again in the postpartum quarantine
- Menopause due to hormonal changes that exist and other causes such as retention of urine, obesity, constipation, stress, hereditary, chronic cough, etc.
- Possible sequelae of surgical interventions
Possible consequences of a weak pelvic floor
- In women, it is the main cause of stress urinary incontinence (coughing, jumping, sneezing, laughing, doing some physical effort, etc.)
- Urge urinary incontinence
- Pain during sexual intercourse / intercourse, due to not knowing how to relax the pelvic muscles.
- Decreased and lack of sexual sensitivity
- Decreased intensity of orgasms
- Pain in the lumbar and lumbo-sacral area where the ovaries and uterus are supported by the sacro-uterine, utero-ovarian and ilio-ovarian ligaments, any alteration causes tension at the lumbar level
- Prolapse: cystocele, retrocele, uterine, vaginal vault and enterocele. As the pelvic floor is weakened, it cannot support the weight of some organs, which causes them to come out through the vagina.
Tips to consider
- Avoid retaining urine. Not putting up with the urge to go to the bathroom.
- Do not force during bowel movements or when urinating.
- Have a balanced diet rich in fiber, present in fruits and vegetables to take care of overweight and constipation. Drink 2-3 liters of water daily.
- Strengthen the lower abdomen and Pelvic Floor through hypopressive and depressive exercises, both Kegel exercises and Pilates, always controlled and directed by a Pelvic Floor Specialist Physiotherapist.