Why We Need to Talk About Pelvic Health

Hi friends!  What do you think about when you think of health?  You probably think about it your personal health or the health of a single individual. But the truth is, it affects our families, friends, and communities, especially in pelvic health! That’s because  there is a ripple effect--when one person learns how to take care of their pelvic health (or anything else for that matter), it can have a positive effect on everyone around them.  The same is true when someone does not take care of their health, sometimes because they are unaware—this can negatively impact everyone around them.

Because pelvic floor dysfunction is so common, individuals are often told that it is a normal part of life.  We hear these comments and so many others all the time:

• “That’s what happens when you get older.”

• “That’s normal after you have a baby.”

• “It just runs in the family.”

But the truth is pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is often a sign that sometime is not working properly. If your shoulder hurt every time you brushed your hair, would you just accept it as normal? Probably not. If your back hurt every time you lifted your child, would you just accept it as normal?  Probably not.  We should stop treating the pelvic floor differently and we should listen when it tells us something isn’t working!

Let’s start by briefly talking about what the pelvic floor muscles do.

What is Pelvic Health?

Pelvic health involves the muscles, ligaments, and tissues in the lower part of the body. These help control bladder and bowel movements, support the core, and play a role in sexual health. Problems like pain, leakage, or discomfort can make daily life difficult are are often a sign that these muscles, and/or the surround muscles, are not working the way they were designed to.  However, many people don’t talk about pelvic floor issues because they feel embarrassed.

So, why should we talk about pelvic health?   When we understand what the pelvic floor muscles and how they work, it can guide us to

• Feel less pain and discomfort

• Stop any urinary or fecal leakage

• Minimize symptoms or pelvic organ prolapse

• Move better and enjoy daily activities

• Feel more confident and in control

• Prevent long-term health problems

• And so much more!

Getting the right education and treatment, like seeing a pelvic floor therapist, can make a big difference. But the benefits don’t stop with just one person.

How It Helps Families

Health issues affect not just the person experiencing them, but also their family. When someone gets help for their pelvic health problems:

• Partners learn how to support them, leading to better relationships.

• Parents can teach their children healthy habits and make talking about body health normal.

• Caregivers can better support aging family members who may have pelvic health issues.

When families are informed, they can be more supportive and proactive about overall well-being.

The Positive Impact on Communities

When more people talk about and understand pelvic health, our communities benefit in many ways:

• Breaking the Silence: More open conversations help reduce embarrassment and encourage people to seek care.

• Healthier Workplaces: When people feel better, they work better and take fewer sick days.

• Better Healthcare Access: Increased awareness leads to better training for doctors and therapists, so more people can get the care they need.

• Preventing Problems Early: When people learn how to care for their pelvic health early, they can avoid serious issues later.

How Can We Spread Awareness?

We can all help by:

• Encouraging doctors to talk more about pelvic health during check-ups.

• Teaching children and teens about their bodies in a simple and clear way.

• Offering community workshops to share information.

• Talking about it online to help break the stigma.

Pelvic health is important for everyone—not just individuals, but families and communities too. When one person learns how to take care of their pelvic health, they help those around them as well. The more we talk about it, the easier it becomes for everyone to get the help they need, and improving one person’s health can impact entire support systems.

To learn more about your pelvic floor muscles, check out these great resources:

• Find a Therapist near you at www.mypfm.com/find-a-pt

• Watch our YouTube playlist on Pelvic Physical Therapy

• Learn more about your pelvic floor on our Instagram

• Visit our Amazon store for our favorite pelvic health products

• Sign up for our email newsletter
  

For providers, check out myPFM Academy to learn more so you can better help your clients. With two membership options, you have access to courses, a growing library of patient handouts, hundreds of custom sharable images and infographics, and multilingual resources.

Written by Emily Reul, PT, DPT