When you think about your health and wellness, your pelvic floor is likely not the first thing that pops in your mind. Your focus may be on your heart health, physical fitness, or your mental well-being. Pelvic health is not frequently talked about and often overlooked, yet it is a crucial part of your overall well-being. For all genders, your pelvic floor plays an important role in many of your critical bodily functions, from bladder and bowel control to sexual function and core stability. The health of your pelvic floor, or lack of it, can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect all people of all ages.
Why Pelvic Health Matters
Pelvic health is the condition of the muscles, ligaments, and tissues within your pelvic region. Your pelvic health matters because of the critical functions your pelvic floor muscles support. A strong, well functioning pelvic floor helps keep your bladder and bowel functioning properly and supports healthy, pleasurable sexual function. Your pelvic floor can also impact your posture and balance. If your pelvic floor is weakened, overactive or tight, or out of sync with your body, issues and dysfunctions can occur. This can lead to a wide range of both physical and emotional issues.
The Impact of Poor Pelvic Health
If your pelvic floor is not in optimal health, you may be experiencing significant symptoms. Conditions such as pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction or painful intercourse can develop. All of these conditions will significantly affect your overall well being and directly impact the quality of your daily life.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can also impact your mental well being. Issues like incontinence and painful intercourse can lead to feelings of frustration and embarrassment. Longstanding pelvic health issues can be a cause of anxiety, depression, and a decrease in self confidence. These emotional feelings coupled with the physical impact of pelvic floor dysfunction can feel heavy and burdensome.
Pelvic Health Across Across Ages & Stages
Pelvic health isn't just a concern for older adults or pregnant women. If you have a pelvis, then pelvic health is a concern for you. However, there are circumstances in your life that are more likely to negatively impact your pelvic floor muscles.
Pregnancy & Child Birth places immense strain and pressure on your pelvic floor that can lead to weakened muscles both during your pregnancy and postpartum.
Menopause creates hormonal shifts that cause your muscles, including your pelvic floor muscles, to weaken.
Men may experience pelvic floor dysfunction that can cause pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction, or urinary incontinence.
Pelvic Region Surgeries like prostate surgery or a hysterectomy can alter the muscles, leading to dysfunction.
Taking Control of Your Pelvic Health
If you are suffering from specific symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, or simply want to support your body’s functions by maintaining healthy pelvic muscles, prioritizing your pelvic health will have a transformative impact on your daily life. Taking control of your pelvic health will be empowering for both your physical and emotional health. So many issues and dysfunctions related to your pelvic health are common. While many people suffer from these symptoms, they are not normal and can be healed. You do not have to live with chronic pelvic pain, incontinence, or a lackluster, painful sex life. With the correct guidance, exercises, and techniques, your pelvic health can be improved, restored, or maintained at any age. You are not broken and it’s never too late to take an active role in your pelvic floor health. Regain your control and your confidence in your body!
If you have pelvic health concerns and would like to see how our therapists at
Embrace can help, follow the link to schedule your free discovery call.
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