Pelvic floor issues affect many Singaporean women at some point in their lives. These problems range from mild discomfort to major health concerns, but not many go to hospitals such as Mount Elizabeth to check why they have pelvic problems. This is often due to stigma and a lack of awareness.
Let’s shed some light on why women should take their pelvic health more seriously and visit their gynae in Mount Elizabeth for medical help.
Medical Issues Affected by Poor Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic floor muscles play crucial roles in women’s health. They support the bladder, bowel and uterus to ensure they function well. Some complications that can arise or be aggravated by a weak pelvic floor include:
Urinary and Faecal Incontinence
When you have weak pelvic muscles, it becomes more difficult to control the release of urine or faeces. This becomes increasingly obvious with certain types of incontinence:
Stress incontinence can make you leak when doing actions like sneezing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects. All of these put pressure on your bladder and bowels. A stronger pelvic floor would make it easier to restrain these from leaking.
Urge incontinence, as the term suggests, gives you the sudden urge to urinate or pass stool. Poor pelvic health would make it difficult to control the urge so you can reach the toilet in time.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
POP occurs when the organs supported by your pelvis, including the bladder and uterus, sag and put pressure on other pelvic organs, shifting them out of place.
If the pelvic floor becomes extremely weak, POP can cause a bulge extending outside your vagina and may require surgery to fix.
Sexual Health Problems
Poor pelvic floor health can also make sexual activities less pleasurable, as it can reduce the sensation in the vagina. It may even make sexual intercourse painful for women.
Difficult Childbirth
Pregnancy is known to put a strain on pelvic floor muscles. However, it’s important to maintain their strength as much as possible. If they become too weak during the pregnancy, the labour and delivery can get risky for both mother and child. It would also take longer to recover after giving birth.
How to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
So how do we improve our pelvic floor health? Some things we can do include:
Practising pelvic floor exercises such as Kegels will strengthen the muscles supporting our pelvic organs. To perform a Kegel, contract the muscles as though you were stopping your urine flow midstream. You can repeat this in 2-3 sets of around ten reps.
A healthy weight keeps pressure off our pelvic floor muscles. The heavier we remain, the weaker they get over time. Aim to be more physically active, eat a balanced diet, and control your intake so you can start losing weight.
Avoid straining when passing stool, as this weakens the muscles. Staying hydrated and eating more fibre can prevent constipation so you don’t strain your bowels.
Video: Got Chronic Pelvic Pain Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
Don’t Hesitate to Seek Your Gynae For Help
If you're concerned about your pelvic floor, speak with your gynae. Early intervention helps prevent the issue from worsening so you can enjoy a better quality of life.
The gynae can assess your condition and recommend treatment plans based on their evaluation. This can range from physical therapy, medication, or even surgery.
They can also help determine the root cause of your pelvic problem to help address it accordingly.
Your gynae will also monitor your progress to see if your pelvic floor responds well to treatments.
Have More Control Over Your Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic problems are a significant concern but often go unnoticed or untreated. But when we understand their role in women’s health, we can take steps to strengthen them again.
Don’t be afraid to consult your gynae in Mount Elizabeth for help with such issues. They can support you throughout this ordeal and remind you to prioritise your well-being.
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