author: Klára Sedláková***new

Up to a quarter of women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder, but we cannot always associate its symptoms with this area. Pregnancy and childbirth, physical or mental stress, injuries and sedentary work - various circumstances and stages of our lives can affect the health of the pelvic floor.

These can typically manifest incontinence, pain during sex or menstruation, but also as a seemingly unrelated problem. Back pain, bloating or difficulty defecating can also be a sign of dysfunction.

Incontinence or painful sex? The pelvic floor may be to blame

Pelvic floor is a complex structure of ligaments and muscles that affects stability and posture, organ function, and sexual experience. Among the most common manifestations of its dysfunction are:

• leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing or running (incontinence),
• painful menstruation and bloating,
• back pain, especially in the lumbar region,
• difficulty with emptying,
• pain during sex or reduced sensitivity,
• difficulty getting pregnant.

Most common causes of a weakened pelvic floor

1. Pregnancy 

Pregnancy is a time of many changes – both hormonal and mechanical. Because of the influence of pregnancy hormones, ligaments and tissues are loosened, which are supposed to facilitate the baby's journey into the world during the birth itself. 

2. Childbirth

During vaginal birth, the greatest opening of the pelvic floor occurs that a woman can experience during her lifetime. The consequence can be a weakened pelvic floor, incontinence or descent (prolapse) of organs.

3. Menopause

Also menopause has a significant effect on the pelvic floor, because with it comes a drop in estrogen levels, which leads to muscle weakness and reduced tissue elasticity. This can cause incontinence, vaginal dryness or painful sex.

4. Sedentary work and poor posture

Long-term sitting, crossed legs or poor movement stereotypes can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. 

5. Stress and mental strain

The pelvic floor is a "stress muscle" that, like the trapezius, reacts to tension in the body, chronic stress or trauma.

How to strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent problems?

In short, the pelvic floor deserves your attention, regular care and a lot of love.

But how do you do it?

Read with us the lines that reveal the imaginary veil of taboo covering the very center of the female body.

Weakened pelvic floor is not taboo. It is a topic that deserves attention.