Pelvic Health: A Key Aspect of Wellness Across Life Stages
Pelvic health is a crucial part of overall well-being that often goes under the radar, despite its profound impact on daily life. Whether you’re experiencing issues in this area or not, understanding the importance of pelvic health can empower you to take proactive steps toward maintaining a healthy pelvic floor. The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, playing a key role in urinary and sexual function, as well as core stability.
Come into Synergea Family Health to explore the importance of pelvic health treatment in Calgary, learn more about the stages of life when this awareness is particularly beneficial, and how you can improve and maintain pelvic health. Set up a consultation with one of our physiotherapists near you today.
What is Pelvic Health?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues located at the base of your pelvis. It supports the organs within the pelvic cavity, such as the bladder, bowel, and, for some, reproductive organs. The pelvic floor also helps with functions like urination, bowel movements, and sexual health. Pelvic health refers to the overall well-being of these muscles and their ability to perform their functions efficiently.
When pelvic health is compromised, it can lead to a range of issues, including incontinence (leaking urine or stool), pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, and prolapse (where an organ descends from its normal position). Pelvic health issues can affect people of all genders, and the causes and symptoms can vary depending on individual experiences and needs.
Pelvic Health Across Life Stages
Pelvic health isn’t just a concern for one particular group of people or certain stages in life. It’s relevant at various points throughout life, and each stage brings its own pelvic health challenges.
- Young Adulthood
For young adults, pelvic health can often be overlooked. However, people of all genders are at risk for pelvic floor dysfunction due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, or high-impact sports.
This stage is also when sexual health becomes more prominent, and pelvic health plays an important role in libido, arousal, and the ability to engage in pleasurable, pain-free intercourse. For some people, menstruation or hormonal changes can affect pelvic health too, with conditions like dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or endometriosis impacting pelvic function.
- Pregnancy and Postpartum (For Those Who Experience Pregnancy)
During pregnancy, individuals who are expecting may experience significant changes to the pelvic floor due to the weight of the growing baby, hormonal shifts, and the physical strain of childbirth. In some cases, this can result in pelvic floor concerns. Strengthening and lengthening the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction, while pelvic floor education can be helpful in preparation for childbirth.
The postpartum period is when pelvic health is especially critical for people who have given birth. Childbirth can impact the pelvic floor muscles, leading to incontinence, pain, and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor rehabilitation, guided by a physical therapist, can help restore function and prevent long-term issues.
- Middle Age
As we age, pelvic health becomes a more important consideration for people of all genders.
For women, menopause brings hormonal changes that can weaken pelvic muscles, leading to problems such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and vaginal dryness, which can affect sexual health.
For men, aging can bring about prostate issues, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer treatments that may affect urinary and sexual health. Maintaining a strong pelvic floor can help men manage these changes and reduce the risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Older Adulthood
In older adults, pelvic health is even more critical, as the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction increases with age. Changes related to menopause, aging, or prostate health can exacerbate pelvic health challenges.
Maintaining pelvic health through regular pelvic floor exercises, a healthy diet, and good habits can help promote a higher quality of life in older age.
Tips for Maintaining Pelvic Health
Whether you’re in your 20s or 70s, taking care of your pelvic health can help prevent discomfort and complications later in life. Here are some tips to incorporate into your routine:
- Strengthen or Lengthen Your Pelvic Floor Muscles: Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can be done by both men and women to strengthen and lengthen the muscles to improve control over bladder and bowel functions or reduce pain. A pelvic health professional can help you understand the correct techniques and whether these exercises are appropriate for you.
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity, including low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga, helps maintain overall health and supports pelvic floor function.
- Avoid Straining: Whether it’s holding your breath, lifting heavy objects or straining during bowel movements, excessive pressure on the pelvic floor can lead to damage over time. Be mindful of how you move and avoid activities that can cause strain.
- Manage Habits: Lifestyle plays a role in pelvic health. Learning more about healthy bladder and bowel habits can improve symptoms and overall health.
- Seek Professional Help: If you experience symptoms like incontinence, pelvic pain, or sexual dysfunction, don’t hesitate to consult with a pelvic health physiotherapist. They can provide guidance on exercises and treatments tailored to your needs.
Talk to Our Experts Today
Pelvic health is important for people of all genders throughout their lives. Understanding the stages when pelvic health issues may arise, and taking steps to address them early, can prevent discomfort and complications in the future. From strengthening the pelvic floor to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are many ways to keep this vital part of your body functioning at its best. No matter your age or life stage, prioritizing pelvic health can lead to a stronger core, improved urinary and sexual health, and a better quality of life overall.
If you are experiencing pelvic pain, incontinence, or discomfort during everyday activities, or have concerns about your pelvic health, you don’t have to suffer in silence—pelvic health physiotherapy is here to help!
Whether you’re dealing with a long-standing issue or want to prevent problems before they arise, our pelvic health physiotherapists in Calgary will guide you through safe, effective treatments tailored to your needs. It’s time to take control of your health and well-being.
Don’t wait. Schedule an appointment today and feel the difference! Call (403) 247-2947 or book online today.