Pelvic Floor Knowledge Base
MAKE YOUR PELVIC FLOOR A PRIORITY
Almost 1 in 3 women suffer from pelvic floor disorders like incontinence or prolapse. These disorders are often left undiagnosed and untreated due to a lack of awareness and understanding of these common issues. Worst-case scenarios can even lead to the need for invasive surgery. But it can be avoided by taking proactive measures and using kegel weights to build a strong and healthy pelvic floor.
OVERCOME PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE & ENHANCE INTIMACY
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues of your pelvic floor become too stretched or weak to support the organs. The organs then begin to slowly descend and can eventually bulge out. This can lead to having to literally push them back in if not addressed with pelvic floor training or, in some cases, surgery.
Symptoms can be distressing and have been described as protruding bulges, feeling pelvic area fullness, pain during sex, lower back pain, problems with urination, bleeding, or constipation.
Pelvic floor training will really focus on the muscles, promoting blood flow and strength, and should be the first line of proactive exercise before surgery is considered.
Can doing kegels really enhance intimacy?
Yes! The stronger and more ‘elastic’ your pelvic floor is, the easier it is to orgasm. When the muscles are too loose or misaligned, the rhythmic contractions will not be as responsive and can impede nerve function, which is crucial to having powerful orgasms.
ACHIEVE MUSCLE TIGHTNESS & IMPROVE BLADDER CONTROL
Incontinence is a very common symptom of the pelvic floor not functioning properly, and it is hugely inconvenient to have to put up with leaks when coughing, laughing, running, or just going about your daily life.
Why does this happen?
The pelvic floor plays an important role in supporting the bladder and is also responsible for opening and contracting the urethral muscles. In a healthy functioning pelvic floor, the muscles are able to open and contract when pressure is put on the muscles, for example during activities like running or when coughing. With a weakened pelvic floor, the muscles are unable to perform a strong enough contraction to keep the urethral muscles closed and control the flow of urine.
How can I fix this?
The first thing to remember with any suspected pelvic floor issues is to consult with your doctor to make sure there are no underlying issues. If the incontinence is being caused by a weak pelvic floor, then you should start with pelvic floor training using kegel weights to begin strengthening the muscles and preventing urine leakage.
BUILD STRENGTH FOR LABOUR & FASTER POST-NATAL RECOVERY
80% of women who experience pelvic floor issues are expectant or new moms. The pelvic floor can be quite impacted during pregnancy as your body copes with the weight of the growing baby, which can overstretch and weaken the pelvic floor as early as 12 weeks into the pregnancy. Constipation, which is a common side effect, can also put a great deal of strain on an already stretched pelvic floor.
During childbirth, the muscles are stretched (and sometimes torn), which leads to pelvic floor dysfunction, and many women find they have less control following childbirth. The symptoms are often hard to control, such as wind, pelvic pain, or even pelvic organ prolapse later on.
There is a common worry and misconception that there is a risk of making the pelvic floor too tight with exercises, which might increase the risk of tearing. Current research suggests that pelvic floor training does not increase the chances of an instrumental delivery or an episiotomy. But we recommend always consulting your midwife before embarking on any training and listening to your body and individual feedback.
It is generally recommended to wait until your 6-week checkup postpartum before starting kegel weight training, to prevent the symptoms from worsening. Using weights to contract your muscles with enough intensity and correct execution should go a long way to help prevent future complications.
USING VAGINAL DILATORS IN PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY
Vaginal dilators are medical devices used to provide relief by gently stretching the vaginal walls and tissues connected to them. While kegel weights are mainly used to strengthen the muscles, vaginal dilators are used as a relaxation technique to relax the muscles. They are commonly used in pelvic floor therapy to treat various conditions that cause vaginal tightness, such as vaginismus, dyspareunia (pain during sex), vulvodynia (chronic pain in the vulva), and pelvic radiation therapy.
Vaginal dilators come in various sizes and shapes and are made of materials such as plastic, silicone, or rubber. They are inserted into the vagina and gently stretched to gradually increase the size of the vaginal opening and minimize pain during vaginal penetration.
Our Bodyotics Vaginal Dilators are made from soft and gentle silicone that is BPA-free, hypoallergenic, and 100% waterproof.