The pelvic floor is a set of muscles and ligaments that helps to support the pelvic organs which are your bladder, rectum, uterus, prostate and bowel.

Contracting and relaxing these muscles will allow you to control urination, bowel movements as well as helps with the improvement of women’s sexual function by improving blood circulation to the vagina.

If the above supportive structures weaken, it could lead to a condition known as Pelvic Floor Dysfunction which is basically the lack of ability to control the pelvic floor muscles.

The occurrence of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is extremely common among women of various ages, with the condition affecting many women above the age of 40, expecting mothers as well as those in their early twenties.

Main Causes Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the pelvic muscles are forced to contract instead of relaxing. To put it in layman terms, it is when the pelvic muscles weaken or become too tight which then causes a prolapse.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction can be linked to several conditions or events that cause muscles to weaken. This includes conditions like:

• Ageing
• Childbirth
• Obesity
• Injury in the pelvic region
• Pelvic surgery

Complications And Consequences Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

There are a number of symptoms that are associated with pelvic floor disorder and some can interfere with daily lifestyle. Plus, the symptoms may vary among individuals and it also depends on the type of pelvic floor condition one is experiencing. Some of the common symptoms a person may experience include:

• A bulge in the lower pelvic region
• Bowel movement dysfunction
• Incomplete urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Urinary incontinence, whereby this usually involves a small amount of urine leaking whenever a person hears water droplets, coughs, or simply by going to the washroom.

If left untreated, pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to long term colon damage and the continuous feeling of discomfort.

How to Prevent Complications Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

The complications of pelvic floor can be treated especially if the diagnosis is done early. These complications can be prevented by exercising regularly or if the condition has worsened, then surgery would be the only option.

Another option is a special electromagnetic chair known as BTL EMSELLA® that uses non-invasive electromagnetic energy waves to stimulate and tighten the pelvic floor muscle. This chair is known as the ‘Kegal Throne’ as it is equivalent to about 11,000 repetitions of Kegel exercises that is done under 30 minutes.

BTL EMSELLA® is great option for women of any age who desire to get a control of their urinary incontinence, recovery after childbirth as well as to improve the quality of their intimate life. Pregnant women can start the treatment three months after delivery. To find out more, do consult with your local urologist or gynecologist.

Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction By Strengthening The Pelvic Muscles Through Kegel Exercises

The best exercise that will help to strengthen one’s pelvic muscles are the Kegel exercises. Before starting Kegel exercise, it is important to understand what it can do for us and how it benefits our body.

A Kegel exercise is simply a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles (a sling-like muscles) that surround and supports the bladder, uterus, and recturm.

Carrying out these exercises can help train your muscles to avoid bladder leaks, pelvic organ prolapse, hip pain and improve sexual performance. Moreover, these exercises are also pregnancy safe, which means that it can be done during pregnancy or after childbirth to improve your condition.

However, if you aren’t familiar with Kegel exercises, feel free to visit your healthcare professional to guide you on the correct way to perform these exercises.

When Should One Seek Medical Help For Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

If you are experiencing painful sexual intercourse, difficulty in urinating, issues with bowel movements, pelvic pain or any other pain around your pelvic region, please speak to a urologist or gynecologist for a diagnosis.