How Can Your New Year’s Resolution Help Your Pelvic Floor

Weight gain can affect the pelvic floor in several ways. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles form a sling or hammock-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis, and they help to maintain the position of these organs and to control their function.

When a person gains weight, the extra weight can put added pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, which can weaken them over time. This can lead to a range of problems, including urinary incontinence (inability to control the bladder), fecal incontinence (inability to control the bowels), and pelvic organ prolapse (when one or more of the pelvic organs drops down into the vagina or rectum).

In addition to the mechanical effects of weight gain on the pelvic floor, there is also evidence that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing pelvic floor disorders. This may be due to the additional strain that excess weight places on the pelvic floor muscles, as well as other factors such as hormonal changes and inflammation associated with obesity.

It is important to maintain a healthy weight and to engage in regular physical activity to help support the health and function of the pelvic floor muscles. If you are concerned about the health of your pelvic floor or if you are experiencing any symptoms such as incontinence or prolapse, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.