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Alphabetical Index of Articles on Women's Sexual, Pelvic Floor, and Reproductive Health
How Do I Know If I Have A Weak Pelvic Floor?
In this article we’ll discuss how to assess if you may have a weak pelvic floor, what symptoms are and basic orientation to the pelvic floor.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a very important group of muscles that live in the bottom of the pelvis. Both men and women have a pelvic floor. These muscles sit in the bottom of the pelvic floor like a hammock, and can move up and down like a trampoline to support your internal organs inside your body. They also help to control the openings and closures in the bottom of the pelvis, which is why they are so essential to urinary, bowel and sexual function. Just like any muscle, when they are weak, they can start to cause issues with any of these functions. Common signs of a weak pelvic floor include urinary incontinence, fecal (or bowel) incontinence, feeling of pelvic heaviness or pelvic organ prolapse, as well as low back or hip pain.
Runner's World Asks Heather Jeffcoat About Symptoms of a Weak Pelvic Floor
As they mention on their website, Runner’s World provides inspirational tales from the trail, race advice, and more. When Laura Williams Bustos, M.S. wanted to learn more about the connection between running and a healthy pelvic floor, I was glad to offer my insights as a licensed Physical Therapist. Here are some excerpts from the article interspersed with my own commentary, along with a link to the full article at their website.
Heather Jeffcoat, DPT3 Surprising Symptoms of a Weak Pelvic Floor
Experts explain why a strong pelvic floor is so important for runners, plus what to look for to make sure your muscles can withstand mileage.
Few things demand as much of your pelvic floor as running, and whether you run competitively or just to stay in shape, having a strong and healthy pelvic floor will make your running routine both more beneficial and more enjoyable.
