Discover your pelvic floor's vital role in maintaining bladder and bowel control. Learn how to care for it effectively to prevent unintentional leakage. This article will explore the mechanisms behind continence, define incontinence, highlight its impact on women's lives, and emphasise the importance of targeted solutions.
A quick reminder
The pelvic floor is the last functional element of the urinary and digestive systems.
The contraction of the muscles ensures continence (holding in) by closing tightly the urethra and anus. In contrast, the relaxation allows an opening to permit voiding.
It is the gate control function described in the article dedicated to the anatomy and roles of the pelvic floor.
The mechanism behind continence
Your pelvic floor muscles play an important role in preventing unintentional leakage and maintaining continence, even without your conscious awareness. This is achieved through the tonus, the permanent unconscious slight contraction of the pelvic floor.
Under optimal circumstances, the tonus automatically adjusts to different situations, ensuring the effective activation and closure of the sphincters (commonly known as the "lock" muscles). They only fully relax and open when you intentionally decide to pass urine or stool.
When the pressure on the pelvic floor increases, such as during an effort, the muscles respond by also increasing their tone. This results in stronger contractions, which help to maintain tight closure of the urethra and anus, preventing leakage. This response is meant to be an automatic function of your body, requiring no conscious effort.
Unfortunately, when this system becomes impaired, it can lead to various inconveniences. However, if you find yourself in this situation, there is hope. With the knack technique, available in the app, you can reintegrate this automatism and restore the proper functioning of your pelvic floor.
The definition of incontinence
We use the term "incontinence" when the pelvic floor muscles fail to prevent the leakage of urine, gas, or stool (even if it is a small amount or a drop once in a while). It is important to note that incontinence is a medical term, and there should be no shame in using it.
Unfortunately, stigma is often associated with the term, which can make people hesitant to acknowledge their condition. They may feel that their experience is not severe enough to warrant such a label, or they may associate it with extreme cases that evoke negative images.
At Ground Floor, we aim to break the taboo surrounding this common issue and empower you with the knowledge that it is treatable. It is estimated that 12.4% (303 million) of women worldwide are affected by incontinence, with over 50% not seeking help due to feelings of shame, lack of knowledge, negative beliefs, or limited accessibility. These numbers are likely even higher, as many cases go unreported.
We encourage open conversations and seek to provide support and solutions to help individuals overcome incontinence without judgment or stigma. Every woman deserves to live confidently and comfortably.
The impact of incontinence on women's life
Many women mistakenly believe that experiencing accidental urine leakage is a normal part of life. As a result, they often make adjustments, sacrifice activities they once enjoyed, and experience a reduced quality of life.
For example, 53% of women with incontinence report abstaining from sexual activities due to this issue. We are here to dispel the myth that incontinence is a natural and inevitable process for women.
However, ignoring early signs, such as occasional leakage, can worsen the situation over time. Indeed, it is important to address urinary leakage because neglecting it can increase the risk of other types of incontinence.
In fact, studies show that 20-54% of women with urinary dysfunction also experience bowel incontinence. Taking care of your pelvic floor as early as possible in life can prevent this scenario from happening to you.
The different underlying causes of incontinence
You can have a leakage in very different situations: during an effort, after an urge, unknowingly at times, when holding it in for too long, during sleep, during intercourse, and more. Due to the diverse scenarios that can lead to incontinence, a comprehensive assessment is necessary to identify the underlying cause and address this issue effectively.
Some possible factors include muscle weakness, an overactive bladder, inadequate intra-abdominal pressure management, constipation, muscle tears or injuries, bladder or rectal sensitivity issue or lack of distensibility. Contrary to expectations, a hypertonic pelvic floor can even contribute to incontinence.
The importance of targeted solutions for incontinence
To effectively address incontinence, it is essential to accurately identify the specific type (such as stress, urge, mixed, overflow, or coital) before initiating any pelvic floor exercises or Kegels.
To ensure you receive the most effective treatment, our app starts with a comprehensive check-up to determine the appropriate course of action. Based on the results, you receive a tailored program designed specifically to address your unique situation.
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Download the app to learn more about this topic and receive tailored information about your pelvic health!
Download the app to learn more about this topic and receive tailored information about your pelvic health!
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