Continence & Women’s Health
The Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Active pelvic floor muscles are very important to women throughout life. Poorly controlled muscles can lead to prolapsed and loss of bladder or bowel control. Physiotherapists trained in continence management can assess your pelvic floor muscles and, if necessary, help you regain control.
What do Pelvic floor muscles do?
The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, uterus, vagina and bowel. They form a muscular and elastic floor across the bottom of the pelvis. When tightened, the muscles lift the organ and constrict their openings. The muscles relax to empty the bladder and bowel.
Stretching of these muscles during childbirth and straining with constipation sometimes causes muscle damage and leads to incontinence. As there may be other reasons for loss of bladder and bowel control, professional advice should be sought for issues of incontinence.
Signs of poorly controlled pelvic floor muscles
- Leaking urine when sneezing, coughing, running, laughing (or other sudden actions).
- Not getting to the toilet in time.
- Vaginal or anal wind (flatus) when bending and lifting.
- prolapsed
- Difficulty emptying the bowel completely.
You need special attention if you
- Are pregnant or a new mother.
- Are menopausal.
- Lift heavy objects often.
- Suffer from constipation.
- Are overweight.
- Cough frequently.
- Have low backache.
- Go to the toilet often to pass small amounts of urine.
