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Just for Women
Pelvic Floor Problems?
This support system of muscles and ligaments keeps organs in place
Unless you’re experiencing incontinence or uterine prolapse, you probably don’t think much about your pelvic floor, the hammock-like system of muscles and ligaments that supports the bladder, uterus and bowel. “To function well, these organs need to be in their correct positions, held in place by strong pelvic floor muscles,” says Joseph Patruno, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.
Pelvic floor muscles usually develop naturally in young girls who get normal amounts of exercise and good nutrition. “Early and repetitive pregnancy can have a detrimental effect on the development of young bodies, including the pelvic floor,” says Eduardo Lara- Torre, M.D., adolescent gynecologist at the hospital.
For adult women, pregnancy is the most common cause of pelvic weakening. Muscles and ligaments lose more elasticity with each successive birth. “Doing Kegel exercises during pregnancy helps keep those muscles toned,” says Patruno’s colleague, gynecologist Susan Haas, M.D. In fact, starting these internal-squeeze exercises as soon as you reach childbearing age is a wise precaution.
But aging takes a toll, even for women who never have children. The loss of estrogen after menopause makes muscles and tissues less elastic. The result may be:
Uterine prolapse—“The uterus descends lower into the vagina, and you feel pressure or a bulge,” Haas says. Besides being uncomfortable, prolapse affects bladder and bowel function. The condition sometimes can be treated with a pessary, a diaphragm-like ring inserted into the vagina to hold organs in place. The other option is surgery to reposition and support the uterus. Women past childbearing typically choose a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) along with corrective surgery to support the other organs.
Urinary or bowel problems—Part of the bladder may bulge into the vagina, leading to incontinence, more-frequent urination or retention of urine (a cause of infections). Sometimes the rectum bulges into the vagina, causing difficult bowel movements or bowel incontinence. “These problems are common after menopause,” says Folusho Stephen Tugbiyele, M.D., a urogynecologist at the hospital. “In the past, many women were embarrassed to talk with their doctor, or they thought nothing could be done. Now we can offer medications, pelvic floor rehabilitation with biofeedback, and surgical options for both urinary and bowel conditions.”
While problems caused by weakening of the pelvic floor muscles aren’t life-threatening, they do affect the quality of life. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.
Want to Know More about how to perform Kegel exercises? For instructions, call 610-402-CARE or click here.
Published from Healthy You Magazine, March-April 2008
This page last updated 4/24/08 10:09 PM
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