Weak Pelvic Floor: Do You Know The Signs?

WEAK PELVIC FLOOR is synonymous with a TIGHT PELVIC FLOOR. These words are common terms in the world of pelvic health but are usually misunderstood. To give everyone clarity, a weakened pelvic floor is a state of the pelvic floor muscles where your pelvic organs lack the support it needs to function normally. That may stop you from being able to control urine, feces, or gas.

Symptoms of a WEAK/TIGHT PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES

Leaking urine or flow of urine when coughing or sneezing
Passing wind/gas when bending or lifting
Reduced sensation in the sexual organ
Unable to control bowel movements or passing the stool
Pain in the tailbone (coccyx pain)
Sudden urge to pee (urinary urgency)
Unable to poop (constipation)
Painful sex (dyspareunia)

WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF WEAK PELVIC FLOOR IN MEN?

Men’s pelvic floor can be weakened by:

Obesity (as defined by the World Health Organization, obesity is the abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.)
Type-A Personality ( People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving “workaholics” )
Chronic constipation (Constipation that lasts for several months)
Post-Op Prostate Recovery (People who underwent prostatectomy which is a surgery that removes part or all of the prostate gland)
Straining to urinate or defecate (An intense exertion to pass the urine or stool)
Minimal Ejaculation (Ejaculating little to no semen)

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF WEAK PELVIC FLOOR?

Have you tried riding a roller coaster and felt like your internal organs are shuffled? And it felt like there is a strong gravitational force pulling you down there? It may be a little exaggerated, but one of the major complications of a weak pelvic floor is PROLAPSE. Prolapse is the bulging or dropping of your rectum or bladder. It is more common in females but may occur in men as well.

Symptoms of PROLAPSE:

Pressure in the pelvic region
A feeling that something is falling out
Protrusion of the rectum or anus
Trapped stool or difficult bowel movements
Urine leakage and difficulty in urinating
Lower back pain

HOW TO REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF PELVIC FLOOR WEAKNESS?

If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, there are lifestyle changes and pelvic floor muscle training that can reduce the symptoms of pelvic floor weakness. It may include the following:

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy – Pelvic floor exercise (especially integrated with a strong core) can help with the symptoms of a weak or tightened pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor therapist can help strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor and core.
High-fiber diet
Water intake
Weight loss
Exercise/Movement
Yoga

WHERE TO GET HELP?

Having a weakened pelvic floor is not a medical emergency, but it is EMBARRASSING and UNCOMFORTABLE. Pelvis NYC is on a mission to help men get proper treatment and proper care. If any of the above signs and symptoms are bothering you, please consult your specialist. Or you can book a 15-minute teleconsultation totally FREE OF CHARGE. We are here to listen. We are here to help.

Other Related Blog:

PELVIC PAIN IN MEN: KNOW HOW CAN PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY SET YOU FREE