Why Your Pelvic Floor Matters: A Comprehensive Introduction

Have you ever laughed, sneezed, or picked something up only to have a small leak or sudden pressure?

You’re not alone. More than 25 million adults in the United States have trouble with urinary incontinence, and many do not realize the root cause is buried deep within their bodies- the pelvic floor.

Ideally, the pelvic floor is a hidden group of muscles most people never think about until something goes wrong. These muscles are responsible for supporting your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, so that you can stay dry, pain-free, and stable.

But when they become weakened, they can end up interfering with your comfort and confidence.

The good news is that knowing more about your pelvic floor is the first step toward managing or even reversing many common issues.

Whether you are spotting the early signs of something or are merely looking to take better care of yourself, having a better understanding of how this set of muscles functions could make a big difference in your daily life.

So, what, exactly, is the pelvic floor, and why should it demand your focus?

Pelvic Floor Explained: Why You Should Care?

The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles and tissues that form a sling that extends from the front part of the pubic bone to the tailbone in the back. It's like a hammock that holds and suspends vital pelvic organs like the bladder, uterus, and rectum in women.

These muscles are vital in supporting organs and controlling body functions such as urination and defecation.

In addition to these functions, your pelvic floor is a key component of your core. It works with your back muscles, abs, and diaphragm to regulate the internal pressure within your abdomen when you move or exert yourself.

Central role of the Pelvic Floor:

• Supports pelvic organs such as the bladder, the female uterus, and the rectum.

• Promotes the regulation of the bowels and bladder.

• Works along the body's core muscles (abdomen, back, and diaphragm) to stabilize the body.

• Manages intra-abdominal pressure through activities that include lifting, sneezing, or laughing

• Supports the pelvic organs to prevent prolapse.

Your pelvic floor keeps all the contents in the right spot, whether lifting a heavy object, sneezing, or even laughing.

Why Your Pelvic Floor Deserves More Attention Than You Think?

The pelvic floor might not be something you can see, but it’s crucial for many bodily functions.

If this area is weak or not working as it should, it can lead to various uncomfortable and serious issues. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 24% of women in the U.S. are affected by some form of pelvic floor disorder, including urinary issues, bowel dysfunction, and pelvic organ prolapse.

So, let’s take a closer look at the functions of the pelvic floor.

1. Supports Vital Organs

A key function of the pelvic floor is to support your internal pelvic organs. These are the bladder, uterus (in women), and rectum. In addition to that, organs can move downwards without adequate support, causing pelvic organ prolapse.

When the pelvic floor muscles are strong, they function as a supportive shelf. They keep your organs in place, even when the pressure in your stomach increases, for instance, when you cough, sneeze, or lift something heavy.

2. Controls Bladder and Bowel Function

Bladder and bowel control are functions few even think about until things go wrong. The muscles of the pelvic floor contract to keep the stool and the urine inside and release when you need to have it pass through. When the muscles weaken or get damaged, you may leak, have urgency, or lose bladder or bowel control, usually leading to incontinence.

Having said that, incontinence is one of the most common results of pelvic floor dysfunction. According to research, it affects up to 24% to 45% of women and 11% to 34% of older men, with prevalence increasing due to factors like childbirth, surgery, aging, and pelvic trauma.

It occurs in anyone but affects certain groups more commonly:

• Women following childbirth or menopause.

• Men following prostate surgery.

• Individuals with pelvic trauma or chronic straining.

To manage the symptoms, highly absorbent incontinence products, like Wellness Brief Absorbent Underpads, provide comfort and confidence. These breathable underpads remain dry for a long period as they come with 9500ml+ capacity and Liquistay® technology. Furthermore, they feature air flowing, non-woven material, allowing you to feel like you are directly sleeping on your bedsheets.

Besides, such incontinence products are designed to:

• Absorb the leaks discreetly and efficiently.

• Reduce the number of changes made in a day.

• Decrease laundry and caregiver assistance.

• Cut down on waste, thereby being environmentally friendly.

• Provide an affordable way to manage incontinence.

On the whole, the physical and emotional distress of incontinence can be reduced to a considerable extent through the right support product.

3. Prevents Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse affects a significant number of adults, especially those who have given birth or undergone pelvic surgery. Research reveals that up to 50% of women who have had children may develop some degree of pelvic organ prolapse during their lifetime.

That said, pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more of your pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, vagina, urethra, or rectum, become weakened and drop from their normal position and bulge (prolapse) into your vagina or your rectum.

This pressure can be long-term, like chronic coughing or lifting weights without using your core.

To manage symptoms and maintain comfort, you can turn to high-quality adult diapers such as the Wellness Brief Superio Series diaper. These side-taped diapers use a NASA-inspired InconTek® advanced multi-layered system and offer advanced incontinence protection.

What Your Body’s Telling You: Signs Of Weak Pelvic Floor

Many people don’t realize there’s a problem with their pelvic floor until symptoms become apparent. The signs can be subtle initially, but they often build over time.

1. Difficulty Emptying the Bladder or Bowels

When the pelvic floor doesn’t relax properly, it can interfere with elimination. You might still need to go, even if you’ve already used the bathroom.

This can cause straining (pushing too hard), and it can make the problem worse. Straining over the long term puts you at increased risk of prolapse and makes your bladder and bowel work less well.

In some cases, this may also lead to bowel incontinence, a condition where controlling bowel movements becomes difficult. This issue affects approximately 1 in 12 adults worldwide, with a higher prevalence among women and older individuals.

2. Pelvic Heaviness or Pressure

Persistent pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis, particularly after standing or lifting heavy objects, may indicate muscle fatigue or prolapse. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and worsen throughout the day.

While pelvic floor therapy is key, choosing incontinence solutions that reduce bulk, friction, and changes can make your everyday movement more comfortable while preventing further strain.

A perfect example of such an incontinence solution is the Original Wellness Brief. These briefs are designed for high absorbency and leakage control to keep clothing, skin and linens dry. They can do so for 8 hours.

3. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

If you notice a bulge in the rectal area or a persistent feeling of something "falling out," this could be a prolapse. In men, it may result in rectal pressure or problems and pain when emptying the bladder.

However, lifestyle changes, better posture, and support garments can often manage it.

Many users find that products like Absorbent Underwear from Wellness Briefs give them back their independence and the freedom they desire for life's adventures. This makes them a potential alternative for post-surgical use in incontinence due to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Designed with technology used by astronauts in space for long missions, they offer up to 8 hours of protection, with high absorbency and leakage control.

Want Stronger Pelvic Floor? Start with These Daily Habits

The good news is that you can strengthen and support your pelvic floor through simple everyday habits without membership in a gym or using specialized equipment. You must only practice body awareness, gentle movement, and intelligent lifestyle habits.

Here are some helpful tips:

• Learn to Release and Engage the Pelvic Floor Correctly

• Visit a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

• Be Physically Active

• Keep Good Posture

• Avoid Straining During Bowel Movements

Power Up Your Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor may be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind.

From keeping your organs in place to helping you stay dry, this mighty muscle group does all it can to keep you healthy, much more than you might imagine, until something goes wrong.

The good news is that there is help. It is possible to deal with the symptoms and lead a confident life with body awareness, pelvic floor exercises, and proper protection.