| WARNING, potential trigger |
Question
Would you ignore a leak in your ceiling?
Apart from the thought of the cost, I feel confident in saying you all said NO
So WHY do so many of us ignore a leaky bladder? (When I say leaky I mean all leaks, laughing, sneezing, running, jumping)
Now we want to work on how you can overcome what is stopping you enjoying and wanting to exercise, this is where it all starts.
There are may symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disfunction (PFD), and a leaky bladder is just one of them, others are:
- Leaky bladder when coughing, laughing, sneezing, running, jumper
- Failing to reach the toilet in time
- Constant UTIs and/or thrush
- Bowel and/or wind incontinence
- Painful intercourse
- Bulging at the vaginal entrance
- Unable to hold, pain or discomfort with tampons and cups
- Heaviness in the vagina
These are many more!
Many of these symptoms can also be a sign of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). In fact 40% of women with urinary incontinence alone can have a degree of prolapse.
I myself had leaking when I ran and discovered I had a cystocele (bladder dropping into the vagina) mild prolapse after my 1st son and a hypertonic (too tight) pelvic floor, then 2 and a half years later a rectocele (rectum bulging into the vagina) after my second son.
I’m a keen runner not only for physical fitness but for my mental health and I thought I would never run (jump, dance) again.
However, I sort out help with a female physio, first through the NHS and then privately and I can now run (I also dance a lot and have been known to get on that trampoline!). I now have minimal symptoms and no leaking.
Some of us are good at reaching out for help and talking about what we are going through and others aren’t. It is also not helpfully when some professionals tell us that its what to expect once we’ve had children and to just get on with things 🤦♀️.
NO NO NO
This is not the case. Fight your corner, do not take no for an answer. Ask to be referred to a female physio, be clear on what is happening in your body so they know exactly what help you are asking for. You are not alone, do not be too embarrassed to speak up, give you body the help it deserves.
There are many amazing female physios out that just waiting to help you whether that is through the NHS or privately.
A lot of symptoms can be treated by doing your pelvic floor exercises, pelvic floor relaxation and further full body exercises.
Should any of your symptoms turn out to be a prolapse again this can treated with pelvic floor exercises and full body exercises.
In more severe circumstances pessaries can be used and surgery can sometimes be an option. These are all things that can be discussed with your female physio.
Just know that you are not alone, you do not have to suffer in silence and there are things that you can do to lessen and in some cases stop all symptoms.
Looking after your pelvic floor isn’t completing your pelvic floor for a few weeks and your fixed. Its a life time of work to maintain this muscle, its about incorporating those exercises into movement so you can support you body.
I’m 42 this year and am creeping ever close to menopause. Did you know we lose muscle strength at this time? not just our biceps and glutes… you guessed it also in our pelvic floor. With two prolapses already I want to future proof further damage of my old lady body.
Some food for though there ladies.
Please note that I am not a Doctor or other medical professional. These words are from my experiences and learnings.
If you have concerns, please seek medical help.
With all of the above in mind and having recently read Why Mums Don’t Jump by the wonderful Helen Ledwick (highly recommend her book and podcast), who also started a POP Club in her area, I too would like to start my own POP Club, to support women here in my local area (Axbridge), by meeting up and talking about our experiences (or just come to listen). For us to know we are not alone, that we all have different symptoms and have had different help and experiences. No one fixes works for everyone.
If you would like to talk, message me and introduce yourself.