Word On Pelvic Floor Health

Our grateful thanks to Bowel Research UK (see links page to connect with the charity) and  Julie Cornish, founder of of the Everywoman Festival, for their contribution to our radio report which you can hear again via the audio player at the bottom of this page. 

Pelvic Floor Health: Why It Matters and When to Seek Help

Pelvic floor health is an important part of overall wellbeing, yet many people are reluctant to talk about symptoms or seek help. Problems affecting the pelvic floor are extremely common and can affect women and men of all ages. The good news is that effective treatments are available, and early assessment often leads to better outcomes.

What Is the Pelvic Floor?The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that stretch like a supportive hammock across the base of the pelvis. These muscles help support the bladder, bowel and, in women, the uterus. They also play an important role in bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and core stability.

Like any other muscles in the body, the pelvic floor muscles can become weak, overactive, injured or uncoordinated, leading to a range of symptoms and conditions.

Common Pelvic Floor Conditions. Pelvic floor disorders include a variety of conditions, such as:

• Urinary Incontinence. The involuntary leakage of urine. This may occur when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising (stress incontinence), or be associated with a sudden, difficult-to-control urge to pass urine (urge incontinence).
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse. In women, pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus or bowel, descend from their normal position and press against the vaginal walls. This can cause a sensation of heaviness, dragging or a vaginal bulge.
• Overactive Bladder. A condition characterised by urinary urgency, frequent urination and, in some cases, urge incontinence.
• Faecal Incontinence. Difficulty controlling bowel movements, leading to accidental leakage of stool or gas.
• Pelvic Pain. Persistent pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, perineum or genital area may be related to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
• Sexual Dysfunction. Pelvic floor problems can contribute to pain during intercourse, erectile difficulties in men, reduced sexual satisfaction and other intimacy-related concerns.

Symptoms You Should Not Ignore. Many people assume pelvic floor symptoms are a normal part of ageing, childbirth or menopause. While these life events can increase risk, symptoms should never simply be accepted.

Seek professional advice if you experience:

• Leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising.
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate.
• Difficulty emptying the bladder.
• Constipation or difficulty emptying the bowel.
• Accidental leakage of stool or gas.
• A sensation of heaviness, dragging or bulging in the pelvic area.
• Pelvic, genital or lower abdominal painPain during sexual activity.
• Reduced control of bladder or bowel function.

Why Early Assessment Matters Many pelvic floor conditions can worsen over time if left untreated. Early assessment can help identify the cause of symptoms and allow treatment to begin before problems become more severe.

Seeking help early can:

• Improve quality of life
• Prevent symptoms from worsening
• Reduce the need for more invasive treatments
• Improve confidence and participation in work, exercise and social activities
• Support long-term bladder, bowel and pelvic health

There is no need to suffer in silence. Pelvic floor symptoms are common, and healthcare professionals deal with these issues every day.

How Are Pelvic Floor Problems Treated? Treatment depends on the specific condition, symptoms and individual circumstances.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. Often the first-line treatment for many pelvic floor disorders, particularly urinary incontinence and mild prolapse.

Physiotherapy. Specialist pelvic health physiotherapists can assess how the pelvic floor muscles are functioning and develop an individualised treatment programme.

Lifestyle Changes. Depending on symptoms, advice may include:

• Weight management
• Managing chronic cough
• Improving bowel habits
• Reducing bladder irritants such as excessive caffeine
• Managing fluid intake appropriately
• Addressing constipation

Medications. Certain bladder conditions, such as overactive bladder, may benefit from medication.

Medical Procedures and Surgery. For some individuals, procedures or surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient improvement.

What Are Pelvic Floor Exercises? Pelvic floor exercises, often called pelvic floor muscle training or Kegel exercises, involve repeatedly tightening and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to improve their strength, endurance and coordination.

These exercises can help:

• Improve bladder control
• Reduce urinary leakage
• Support pelvic organs
• Improve recovery after childbirth
• Assist with bowel control
• Enhance pelvic stability and function

How to Identify the Pelvic Floor Muscles. One way to recognise these muscles is to imagine trying to:

• Stop the flow of urine, and
• Prevent passing wind,at the same time.

The feeling should be a gentle lift and squeeze inside the pelvis. The buttocks, thighs and abdominal muscles should remain as relaxed as possible.

A Simple Pelvic Floor Exercise Routine.

• Sit or lie comfortably.
• Tighten and lift the pelvic floor muscles.
• Hold the contraction for up to 5 seconds if comfortable.
• Relax completely for the same amount of time.
• Repeat 10 times.
• Follow this with 10 quick contractions, tightening and releasing immediately.
• Aim to perform the exercises three times per day.

Important Note. Not everyone should perform the same pelvic floor exercises. In some people, the pelvic floor muscles are overactive or excessively tense rather than weak. In these situations, strengthening exercises alone may not be appropriate. If symptoms persist, worsen or are accompanied by pain, professional assessment is recommended.

Who Can Help? If you are experiencing pelvic floor symptoms, speak with your GP, practice nurse, continence advisor, urogynaecologist, colorectal specialist, urologist or a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist. A proper assessment can help determine the cause of symptoms and guide the most appropriate treatment plan.

The Key Message. Pelvic floor problems are common, treatable and nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether symptoms involve bladder control, bowel function, pelvic pain or prolapse, seeking help early can make a significant difference. Pelvic floor exercises can be highly effective for many people, but obtaining the right diagnosis and advice is the first step towards better pelvic health and improved quality of life.

Listen to this weeks radio report