Your pelvic floor muscles are the muscles that support the organs in your pelvic region. When they’re weak, you may have a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Dr. Kevin Jovanovic and Dr. Radoslav Jovanovic offer several treatments that could be helpful if you have weak pelvic floor muscles, and there are some lifestyle interventions that may be of interest, as well.
You may be wondering how your pelvic floor muscles became weak in the first place. There are lots of potential causes. For example, obesity can weaken those muscles, as can childbirth, a traumatic injury, or nerve damage, among others.
In fact, simply aging can weaken your pelvic floor muscles. But that doesn’t mean you just have to live with it. There are several effective treatment strategies. Sometimes a combination of treatments leads to the best outcome.
If you think about the organs in your pelvic region, you can understand the symptoms. Your large intestine, for example, is in your pelvic region, and constipation is a common symptom for people with weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Even more common is urinary incontinence. Your pelvic floor muscles hold your bladder, and when these muscles are weak, your bladder is affected. If you just barely make it to the bathroom in time, or you’ve experienced urine leaking, you may want to discuss how to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Dr. Jovanovic.
Left untreated, weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to prolapse, where your organs fall through the sling of your pelvic floor muscles, or you develop an infection due to being unable to adequately empty your bowel or bladder.
Most everyone has heard of Kegel exercises, and they can be a good way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. It’s important to consult with us though, because for some women, weak pelvic floor muscles stay too tight and don’t relax properly, or they may even spasm. In those cases, Kegel exercises may not be an appropriate treatment.
Other treatments include medications, dietary modifications, use of a device called a pessary, or laser treatments. In some cases surgical intervention may be the best way to correct the problem, depending on the severity of your problem.
If you live in New York City and suspect that you have weakened pelvic floor muscles, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jovanovic today. He can help you understand your issue, and suggest a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.
