POWER TO THE PELVIS
STRENGTHENING YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MUSLCES
Some conditions may feel too
embarrassing to discuss with
your doctor. Weak pelvic floor
muscles can cause such conditions.
Healthy Living | Summer Issue | 2018 41
You may have trouble with
bladder or bowel control. Urine
can leak out when you cough,
sneeze, laugh, or exert yourself
in any way. You might need to
urinate often or urgently.
Weak muscles can also affect
the vagina and uterus.
You may feel discomfort inside
your vagina. Telling your
doctor about these conditions
can help you get the right
treatment.
Your bladder,
bowel, vagina, and
uterus are held in
place by a hammock
of muscles called the
pelvic floor. Weak
muscles can’t hold
up these organs. That
can cause your bladder
to leak and other
embarrassing conditions
called pelvic
floor disorders.
Pelvic floor disorders
affect women of
all ages. Experts estimate
that 1 of every 3 women
in the United States has a pelvic
floor condition. But because so
many women don’t tell their
doctor, they’re probably much
more common.
Many factors—including
family history, pregnancy,
menopause, weight, and
smoking history—can affect
your risk for developing a pelvic
floor disorder. Dr. Donna
Mazloomdoost, a pelvic
floor specialist at NIH, says,
“Some women are just going
to be very prone to these
sort of conditions, and others
are not.”
Depending on the condition,
treatment options may
include dietary changes, physical
therapy, medications, medical
devices, or surgery. NIH is
funding studies to develop new
and improved treatments.