Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it often brings about various physical changes, especially concerning pelvic health. Pelvic floor disorders can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, leading to issues such as incontinence and discomfort. Understanding the factors that contribute to these disorders and how to address them is crucial for every woman, particularly postpartum mothers.
I. Factors Damaging the Pelvic Floor
1. Prolonged Sitting
Prolonged sitting isn’t just a concern for teachers; it’s a common reality for many office workers. Sitting for extended periods can increase abdominal pressure and potentially damage the pelvic floor, which poses risks for postpartum mothers returning to work.
Long periods of sitting can compress the pelvic muscles, affecting blood circulation in the area and leading to muscle fatigue and weakness. This risk is particularly heightened for those who habitually hold in their urine.
2. Prolonged Standing
Prolonged standing requires core abdominal strength, and standing for long periods can put the abdominal and pelvic muscles under constant high pressure, potentially causing chronic damage.
Studies indicate that prolonged standing is a common risk factor for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
3. Increased Abdominal Pressure
Obesity and wearing shapewear can increase pressure on the pelvic floor. Excessive abdominal pressure ultimately contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction, leading to symptoms like incontinence and organ prolapse.
4. Heavy Physical Labor
Research shows that prolonged heavy physical labor places the body under high abdominal pressure. This pressure must be managed by the pelvic floor, which can lead to disorders if it becomes overwhelmed.
5. High-Intensity Exercise
Engaging in high-intensity exercise without proper understanding of the pelvic floor can lead to damage. Sudden increases in abdominal pressure or unexpected heavy lifting can harm pelvic muscles.
6. Chronic Damage
Chronic cough and constipation can place prolonged pressure on the pelvic floor. The strain during coughing or exerting during bowel movements can invisibly increase pressure, leading to damage.
7. Congenital Insufficiency
Congenital underdevelopment of the pelvic muscles can prevent proper closure, leading to symptoms like stress urinary incontinence.
8. Age
Aging leaves its mark not just on the face but also on the pelvic floor. Aging leads to decreased ovarian function and reduced estrogen secretion, resulting in weaker supportive tissues for pelvic organs.II. How to Rescue Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
While the pelvic floor may be unseen and unfelt, the risks are ever-present. Paying attention to pelvic health is essential for a fulfilling life.
II. How to Rescue Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
1. Focus on Pelvic Health
Given the unique location of the pelvic floor, it’s not easy to assess damage visually. Utilizing the globally recognized Glazer Pelvic Floor Surface EMG Assessment can help screen for damage and evaluate pelvic health.
2. Engage in Regular Pelvic Exercises
Kegel exercises are a popular choice for many due to their simplicity and accessibility. By contracting and relaxing pelvic muscles, women can improve muscle strength and alleviate symptoms.
Using a pelvic muscle repair device can enhance this process through biofeedback and electrical stimulation, awakening damaged pelvic nerves and muscles to improve strength and endurance.
Fortunately, Sheyera's Kegel Exerciser effectively combines Kegel exercises with electrical stimulation therapy.The device uses electrical stimulation to contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles, providing an effective workout to improve muscle strength and control.Many users report noticing improvements in muscle strength and pelvic floor muscle health within 4-6 weeks of consistent use.
3. Break Bad Habits
Being mindful of daily habits is vital. Overweight individuals should aim for a healthy weight, reduce heavy physical labor, and avoid shapewear.
Taking care of pelvic health can significantly reduce the risk of further damage from these factors.
At Sheyera, we emphasize the importance of pelvic floor health. A strong pelvic floor is the foundation of women’s health and happiness. If you have any questions or need support, please reach out to us—we’re here to help!