Conditions
Weak Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor are a large sheet of muscles between your pubic bone and your tailbone, and these muscles help keep in place your bladder, vagina, uterus and bowel. These muscles can become stretched or weakened due to ageing and more specifically due to pregnancy. Once the pelvic muscles become weak they can sag and even lead to a prolapsed vagina. Also, these muscles give you control over your bladder and bowel movements, so their weakening can lead to some uncomfortable moments. There are a number of pelvic floor muscle exercises such as squeezes and contractions that can help you tighten the muscles and restore your bladder control.
The simplest exercise involves stopping the flow of urine when you are going for a wee. If you repeat this exercise 10-15 times in a row, you can gradually increase the length of your holds, and also the number of times you repeat it. For full instructions on pelvic floor exercises click here >>
+++UPDATE+++
In our Pelvic Floor programme first broadcast on the 15th April 2009 there were three products tested to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles. The products tested included a Pelvic Toner, a Pelvic Floor Exerciser and Pelvic Cones.
Comments and Questions
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My daughter is 14 and has been suffering from incontinence for over 4 years. She has had a bladder scan to ensure she is emptying her bladder properly (and she is apparently) and has had medication with no great results. She likens it to a tap with a slight drip all the time. She is dry of a night. No time of the day is worse or better and it can happen at any time. Its a very small drip (only damp) and not noticable at school but she does wear pads all the time and other girls have started to notice that. Does anyone know what the next step is, the doctors don't seem to be proactive at all. Thanks
Hi, I go for a wee, then a little while after I finished, I feel the need to go again, almost like there is urine left in the uretha tube. I wait for around 10 seconds to make sure all urine is drained out, but im a little concerned, can anyone help?
Hi I'm 23 and I have leaking of the vagina I've had it more or less since I was a baby I cnt run cough laugh walk do anything I don't socialise because of this I watched your program a few weeks ago and all it took was a simple stich how could I get this done? It's really affecting my life now I also have a very strong Oder and a green discharge and my wee is green please help wot can I do
i am 22 year old with 3 little babys and i get pain when i make love i wee all the time wiv out me knowin i need a wee it started when i had my 1st baby at 17 and its not getin any better what cn i do to help me
i have many bladder problems,i have had a TVT and collegen implants for stress incontinence,i take tablets for overactive bladder.My physio says i have very weak pelvic floor muscles which dont contract when i cough i have been discharged from the hospital but i still have a major problem i leak urine for no reason i have this dripping feeling and constantly feel wet ,i leak during intercourse and even sat watching tv i have cut out all caffine products on physio advice.i have got a Kegel toner (to stimulate muscles)but i am at my wits ends i feel so depressed and dont know what to do now..
Hi I am 28 yrs old with a 3 yr old baby after I had my baby I notice that I have a leaking if I run or hav sex or walk I can't take it anymore can someone help pls .... Nw my husband can't even relax when making love
I'm 42 and have two children,the youngest of who is just 6. I have been told by an osteopath that I have very weak pelvic floor muscles and was given suggested exercises to do. I've since bought both pelvic cone things (non-weighted) and also an electronic pulsator that does the exercises for you but I gave up after I became pregnant (subsequently lost that baby) and haven't done them since as they didn't seem to make any difference. I'm wondering if I have a slight prolapse? How would I find out? Would the nurse have picked it up at my smear? I used to be an avid gym visitor but now I'm so unfit as I can't jump, skip, run or anything - it's so embarrassing. Also I'm now peeing so much - about 5-7 times in the morning alone and feel I need to pee a lot more and am worried I'm leaking however slightly all the time. What can or should I do?
Hi I'm 28yrs old with 3 gawjus girls after my 2nd I experienced leaking I can't jump or run if I cough and have to cross my legs and it's not any better after my 3rd I always have to panty liners, I've been to the doctors they say just do your pevlic floor I have and do but no better please can you help or advise me thanks
I am 32, never had children, but I think something is wrong with my vagina, and am not sure what to do, if anything. Visually it seems different, the opening seems wider/larger, and as you part open the entrance you can see fleshy bits. They are liketwo fleshy flaps sort of? If I strain and look at same time with mirror it then looks more like a little tunnel (the 'flaps inside I see instead looks like an inner light pink fleshy tunnel - start of) Is this normal? I always feel a fullness/pressure in my lower tummy, above bikini line, feel full inside me, and just does not seem right. More pain lower back and sides, when going for poo my vaginal opening and just below pushes up and out, it visually looks like something is pushing under that area between opening and anus. Sometimes I have to insert finger in vagina and push on wall to help me go poo as it gets stuck, its wierd. Can anyone PLZ tell me what this could be, and what I need to do? HAvent told this to my gp as I have been there a lot recently after Carcinoma in situ and then cervical erosion, now this?? Do I need to go hospital if anything gets worse, or what? Feel so down, alone and ashamed of myself down the4re. My husband isn't allowed near me sexually the last 3 months bcoz of it. Plus theres blood in my poo 9 times out of 10 over the last 3 months, feel a freak. Help
Just go to your dr and get checked out, I was the same and ended up with a total uterine prolapse, which became evident when my cervix showed itself. The blood in your poo might be from straining but really you need to get checked out. Good luck!
hi I watched an episode where 3 ladies were testing out types of pelvic floor strengthening devices. There was one that was more effective than the other two and gave the lady 60 percent stronger pelvic floor muscles. I just want to know what it is called. ie the name of the product thanks
Hi Chloe, I believe they were called aquaflex and if you go on amazon at the moment you can get them for £14.95 with free delivery.
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