PELVIC PROBLEMS
Your pelvic floor is designed, like most of your body, to function unconsciously – and for the most part, it does. However, when this hammock of muscles is weakened, as can happen during pregnancy, the results can be very unpleasant, uncomfortable and embarrassing. As Bettina explains, “Pelvic floor dysfunction can occur when there is a weakness or an over-activity of the muscles, or both. These problems often creep up on us later in life after menopause, and then they are harder to fix.”
■ STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE is a weakness of the pelvic floor muscle found in the front of the pelvis. This will make it difficult to control the flow of urine – from a few drops to urine running down the legs. For some it even means not being able to laugh, cough, sneeze or jump without leaking.
■ URGE INCONTINENCE also occurs from a weakening in the muscles found in the front of the pelvis. Sufferers will feel the urgent need to empty their bladders and will often find that they simply do not make it to the loo in time.
■ MIXED INCONTINENCE is when both stress urinary and urge incontinence are present at the same time.
■ FLATUS INCONTINENCE occurs when the muscles located near the back of the pelvis are weak. The result is an inability to control wind.
■ FAECAL INCONTINENCE is the inability to control bowel movements. The first sign of faecal incontinence is when stools are softer and you don’t have the same control as before, meaning you may not make it to the toilet on time.
■ VAGINAL PROLAPSE is when the bladder, rectum or uterus move out of their normal positions and bulge into the vaginal passage. This feels like a bulging or heavy discomfort in the vagina.
■ WEAKENED ORGASMS Poor pelvic strength can also decrease our pleasure and sensation during sex and can weaken your orgasms.
■ DYSPAREUNIA Over-active pelvic floor muscles can cause pain and discomfort in the perineum (the area between the legs), which can lead to painful sex.
While these issues all sound pretty scary and unpleasant, the good news is that they can be avoided. Make sure that you do exercises that are aimed at strengthening specifically the pelvic floor. As Bettina points out, “The important thing to remember is that these muscles do not get strong on their own. They need exercise.”