According to the data collected by Benuren , 6 out of 10 women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder, but what exactly is the pelvic floor? It is the set of muscles on which the female genital apparatus rests, which is also responsible for supporting the bladder, urethra, anorectal area and lower organs. Its function is to hold all these organs in place, but in addition, it is responsible for holding the embryo throughout the period of pregnancy. The weakness of the pelvic floor generates various pathologies, some of the most common are loss of urine, sexual dysfunctions , prolapse (detachment of the uterus, bladder or rectum) and fecal incontinence.
How does such a disorder appear?
The most common symptom is loss of urine, suffered by 27% of women, of which 40% are between 35 and 45 years old, while 6% are between 18 and 25 years old.
This disorder appears mainly in women who have had a pregnancy, however, it is not the only cause, since it can also develop through impact sports, excessive effort, bad postures at work, constipation, menopause and age.
The disorders derived from the weakness of the pelvic floor cause physical dysfunctions , despite being alert to the serious psychological trauma that it causes in those affected. “At least 4 out of 10 women suffer any of these symptoms with psychological effects in the form of loss of self-esteem, problems within the couple or lack of confidence.”
According to sources from Benuren, it is explained how “we can notice that our pelvic floor needs to be strengthened because women begin to leak urine in situations that they did not have before, such as laughing or performing force, be it a sport or lifting weight. In addition, note that the tampon does not hold well, it moves or comes out and you have to change the size, although your menstrual flow remains the same, or when you have sex, the friction in penetration does not feel the same, both women as the couple. On the other hand, the woman can explore her vagina and if she notices a lump that she did not have before, it is a clear sign of a beginning of prolapse , which originates from having a weakened pelvic floor ».
How to prevent and treat it?
The best way to treat a disorder in the pelvic floor is to prevent it and, since there are many factors that cause them, it is important to be careful with constipation, maintain a healthy weight, avoid loading with excessive weight and, remember that the essential thing to prevent it is doing pelvic floor training.
The best way to train it is with Kegel exercises, with them they not only prevent and solve pelvic floor problems, but they also improve sexual relations. In addition, it can also be done by men to improve their pelvic floor. These exercises basically consist of the relaxation and contraction of the internal muscles of the genital and anal areas, from the top to the inside (not the buttocks and legs) accompanying these movements with breathing.
“60% of Spanish women suffer from some disorder derived from the pelvic floor”
In Spain there is a great lack of knowledge and lack of culture about caring for the pelvic floor, unlike most European countries where it is one more part of health care. A clear example of this absence of a preventive culture is that after a pregnancy in Europe it is mandatory to redirect the new mother to a pelvic floor specialist, whereas in Spain this is not done, although it is beginning to become aware of the importance and take care of this area.
