Pelvic Floor and Age: What you need to know

Pelvic floor issues can affect all ages

That's the ugly and real truth. Just because you may be young and healthy now, doesn't mean that you're exempt from the risk factors. There are major disorders that can result from not taking care of your pelvic floor. Like so many other health issues, they're often only talked about after they've become a problem. How many doctors are talking about preventative care and being proactive? Not enough that's for sure. That’s why we're speaking up and spreading the word! 

There are simple measures you can take to be smart and proactive about your physical wellbeing. 

Our bodies are equipped to do so many things instinctively:

  • Preparing for the chance of pregnancy every month
  • Creating human life
  • Carrying and nurturing that life for upwards of a year
  • Instinctively knowing how to contract and endure the physical demands of childbirth

Your body is highly capable and resilient, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it with care. There are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of experiencing pelvic floor changes over time. Despite inevitable life changes and experiences, you can always be more prepared. Read on to see which scenarios may apply to you! 

Risk factors at a young age

Did you know that the common actions of simply sneezing and coughing could put you at risk for pelvic floor dysfunction? Stress incontinence is the term for this occurrence. When pressure is put on the urethra and bladder, lack of muscle control can cause the leakage of urine. This is known as incontinence.

Stress incontinence is the most common pelvic floor issue, especially those younger in age. Fortunately, it can be treated with Kegel exercises!

Another super common issue arising from the pelvic floor region is an overactive bladder. While certain dietary changes can help reduce the need to urinate as frequently, an overactive bladder requires retraining of the muscles. This is where pelvic floor training through Kegel exercises comes in.

Those at a younger age have the advantage of catching these symptoms sooner and thus are able to be be proactive in treating them. Prioritize your self-care before it gets to the point of needing invasive surgeries.

Risk factors after pregnancy

Prolapse is a pelvic floor condition developed by 50% of those who have given birth. 

This is HUGE.

Pelvic organ prolapse is the condition where the pelvic structure becomes too relaxed. This can lead to general discomfort, pain during sex, and bladder and bowel issues. These bladder and bowel control issues are also experienced with incontinence- only progressively worse.

Hearing this, who wouldn’t want to know how to prevent it? Unfortunately, many people just tough it out and live in fear of having an uncontrollable leak in public, or start to avoid social situations altogether.

The good news is that pelvic muscle strengthening is a great solution for all of these conditions, and the sooner this technique is implemented, the less likely you are to need other methods of intervention.

Risk factors from menopause and beyond

The aging process is shown to have a negative impact on the structure or function of the pelvic floor. The age-related changes that cause a decrease in muscle strength are believed to have the same effect on the pelvic floor and result in poorer support.  

Regardless of whether you're generally healthy, the importance of building a strong pelvic floor is crucial! Taking preventative measures is ideal, but training can be implemented at any age.

By being diligent and proactive about your health, you can reduce the risk of experiencing age-related pelvic floor dysfunctions. Most of these conditions can also be experienced by those that are younger for varying reasons, such as prolapse and incontinence. The difference is that the risk increases with age, due to prolonged stress and weakened muscles supporting the pelvic floor.

So, what's the solution for pelvic floor issues?

Prevention is key.

An estimated one third of all women will experience some form of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. Because these disorders are caused by weakening of the muscles and tissues or injury, the solution lies heavily in prevention. 

There is nothing stopping younger people from making Kegel exercises a part of their lifestyle sooner. 

Recovery from pregnancy and childbirth is highly accelerated by having a strong pelvic core. Wouldn’t it be great to know how to prepare for an easier delivery and smoother recovery? Pelvic floor training gives you this ability!

Kegel exercises are an easy and effective way to see results in a short time. The Perifit Kegel trainer and app work together to take the guesswork out of your new Kegel exercise routine. They track your progress as well as accuracy, as it’s important to isolate the right muscles to strengthen them correctly.

 

Learn more:

 

References

Chen, G. (2008, August 15). Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Aging Women. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1028455908600066

Pelvic Floor Disorders May Have Genetic Link. (2009, April 26). Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423132606.htm

TriHealth. (2018, July 20). Retrieved March 19, 2019, from https://www.trihealth.com/dailyhealthwire/living-well/womens-health/common-pelvic-floor-issues-in-women-and-what-you-can-do-about-them