5 Signs You Have A Weak Pelvic Floor

Your pelvic floor muscles are located at the base of your pelvis, between your pubic and tailbone. These muscles make up a sling that wraps around your pelvis, supporting your bowels and bladder both when you have to use the restroom and when you’re going about your day-to-day routine. Unfortunately, over time the pelvic floor muscles can suffer from weakness or injury due to several factors, including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and simple aging. A weakened pelvic floor can pose a significant health threat. Therefore, to help you identify the problem for timely treatment, here are five signs you should look out for if you think you have a weak pelvic floor.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks out involuntarily. Also known as having an overactive bladder, urinary incontinence occurs mainly in older women, though it can affect anyone. This condition is caused by a dysfunction in the muscles, causing them to relax and squeeze when you’re not trying to use them. Common signs of this condition include when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or lift something heavy. When you have a weakened pelvic floor, it is easy to lose bladder control and leak urine while trying to perform routine life activities.

An easy method of self-treatment includes doing pelvic floor exercises, avoiding caffeine, and wearing absorbent underwear while working on strengthening the muscles. Looking into bladder retraining can also be a big help in fixing the problem.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is another common sign of a weak pelvic muscle. Usually, this condition is characterized by one or more organs in the pelvis sliding down and protruding from its normal position in your body. The pelvis and other attached organs, such as the bladder and uterus, may be forced downwards towards the vagina (for ladies), causing constant irritation and pain in that region. While the situation isn’t life threatening, it’s certainly not something anyone wants to live with long-term.

Some treatment methods include, again, pelvic floor exercises in order to strengthen the muscles, lifestyle changes, hormone treatment, and even surgery if you and your doctor think it’s warranted.

Painful Sex

Painful sex is also a sign of a weak pelvic floor. For instance, if you feel uncomfortable pain during intercourse, this could signify a prolapsed uterus weakened by your body over-straining the pelvic floor muscles. Also, your partner may feel the hard bump inside your vagina during the process. Painful sex can be felt by both genders, even though it's much more common in ladies.

Lower Back Pain

Pelvic floor muscles play a very important role in your lower back. If you have weak pelvic floor muscles, it is common to experience lower back pains. This occurs because the muscles are no longer able to hold up the pelvis and spine properly. Usually, these pains become severe when the abdominal muscles are excessively strained.

Pressure in the Pelvic Region

Pain or pressure in your pelvic region is also a common indication of weak muscles. Your body perceives this as a threat and tries to protect the pelvic floor. If you are experiencing pain or sharp pressure developing in your pelvic region when sitting or when you move suddenly, it could indicate a weakened pelvic muscle.

A weak pelvic floor is a serious, though often not life-threatening, health condition that should not be taken lightly. If you or your loved one experience any of the mentioned signs, it’s best to seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor will help you identify the problem's root cause and recommend the best treatment so you can get back to living your life in comfort and quality.