Keeping fit and active is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental wellbeing. But, recent Australian studies reveal that almost one in two Australian women experiencing pelvic floor symptoms during sport or exercise stop participating. In this blog Liz, our pelvic health physio, explains the symptoms that might indicate a pelvic floor issue and what you can do to help resolve them.
About the pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that run between the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis and tailbone at the back, in everyone. These muscles help control urination and bowel opening, support the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel and uterus) and play a role in sexual function. An issue with the pelvic floor may become more apparent during exercise because of the extra effort these muscles need to exert to do their job while you are active.
Signs of an issue
Note: symptoms might occur during activity or up to 12-24 hours later.
Urinary or bowel leakage, no matter how much.
Urinary or bowel urgency (with or without leaking).
Pain or changed sensation - around the urethra, vagina or anus, or through the lower back, lower abdomen, pubic bone or sacrum.
Heaviness, dragging or a bulge felt around the lower abdomen, vagina or anus.
Any other changes in bladder or bowel function.
The most important thing to do if there is an issue is
have a pelvic health check.
Your therapist can help you understand what’s going on, what you can do to treat the issue and give lifestyle and exercise advice that is specific to you, to keep you moving and support your physical and mental health.
Other things to try
Keep a diary of when the symptoms occur and their severity eg After 3 star jumps, wet underwear but not outer clothing.
Temporarily reduce your exercise frequency or intensity.
Check your technique.
What to avoid
Random or non-specific advice about pelvic floor exercises - evidence suggests that people get better results when treatment is specific and includes individual guidance.
Ignoring the problem - most times things will only get worse.
Ceasing exercise completely - our bodies are supposed to move, but you might need to move in a different way.
References
Dakic JG, Cook J, Hay-Smith J, Lin KY, Frawley H, 2021. Pelvic floor disorders stop women exercising: A survey of 4556 symptomatic women. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 24, 12, p. 1211-1217 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.06.003
Dakic JG, Cook J, Hay-Smith J, Lin KY, Ekegren C, Frawley H, 2022., Pelvic Floor Symptoms Are an Overlooked Barrier to Exercise Participation: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey of 4556 Women Who Are Symptomatic, Physical Therapy, Volume 102, Issue 3, pzab284, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab284