Do you also have these lower abdominal discomforts? Let's talk about Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Feeling like you haven't completely emptied your bladder when you go to the toilet, having to go to the toilet frequently, or having difficulty defecating... Along with this, backaches and lower abdominal pain that come for no reason... These can be symptoms of a health problem that many people are reluctant to talk about, but is actually very common. Today we are talking about a condition called pelvic floor muscle weakness, or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction . Don't worry, this is a condition that many people have and can be treated.

First of all, what is the Pelvic Floor?

Simply put, the pelvic floor is the muscular system that supports the organs in your lower abdomen. Think of it as a strong mesh of muscles, like a basin.

In women, this muscle system provides good support to organs such as the uterus, bladder, and colon . In men, it provides support to the bladder and colon. We control urination and defecation, and this muscle system is also very important for us in sexual function.

So, when this muscular system is not working properly, that is, when it is either too tight or too loose, a condition called Pelvic Floor Dysfunction occurs.

What are the symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

The symptoms of this condition may vary from person to person. But there are some common symptoms. Let's look at a table. That way it's easier to understand.

Why does this situation occur?

There are several reasons that can affect this. Sometimes, one or more of these reasons come together to cause this condition.

• Pregnancy and childbirth: This is the main cause seen among women. During pregnancy, the weight of the baby and during childbirth put a lot of pressure on these muscles. Even if the baby is delivered by cesarean section, these muscles can be affected during pregnancy itself.
• Aging: As you age, these muscles, like other muscles in the body, can become a little weaker.
• Overweight/Obesity: As body weight increases, the pressure on the abdominal muscles also increases.
• Injuries to the lower abdomen: If an accident causes damage to the pelvic bones.
• Abdominal surgery: After some surgery, the function of these muscles may be affected.
• Bad habits: Habits like constantly straining on the toilet and holding in urine for a long time can also have long-term effects.
• Nervous system diseases: Since muscles are controlled by nerves, people with nervous system diseases such as Parkinson's disease are also likely to experience this problem.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you visit a doctor, he or she will first ask you a few questions to get a better understanding of your symptoms. Then, they may perform a physical exam to check your muscle function. If necessary, they may also recommend some tests to further confirm the condition, such as:

• Electrode testing: Electrodes are placed on the skin of the lower abdomen to measure how well the muscles contract and relax.
• Anal Manometry: A test that measures the pressure and function of the muscles in and around the anus by inserting a very fine tube through the anus.
• Defecating Proctogram: A special liquid (enema) that can be seen on an X-ray is given, and the muscles working during defecation are observed on an X-ray video.
• Uroflow test: A test that measures the speed and amount of urine flow when you urinate to see how well your bladder is emptying.

What are the treatments for this?

The good news is that there are very effective treatments for this condition. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on the nature and severity of your symptoms.

Here are some commonly used treatments.

• Physical Therapy: This is the most important and effective treatment. A specially trained physical therapist will teach you how to strengthen, control, and relax these muscles. They will teach you how to do things like Kegel exercises.
• Medication: Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants or other medications depending on your symptoms.
• Lifestyle changes:
• Avoiding touching the toilet.
• Getting used to relaxing your muscles through things like yoga exercises and taking hot baths.
• Controlling constipation by changing your diet.
• Surgery: In some cases, especially in cases of prolapse, surgery may be necessary. However, this is only done if other treatments have not been successful.

What are Kegel Exercises?

This is one of the best exercises you can do at home. It strengthens the pelvic floor muscles.

1. First, you need to find the right muscles. Imagine you're stopping to urinate. These are the muscles that tighten.

2. Now hold those muscles tight for about 5 seconds. Don't hold your breath at this point, just breathe normally.

3. Then relax the muscles completely for about 5 seconds.

4. Do this 3-4 times a day, about 10-15 times at a time.

For those hoping to get pregnant and pregnant women, doing these exercises will also help prevent this problem from occurring in the future.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Lower Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Urinary Problems, Kegel Exercises, Women's Health, Postpartum