Pelvic floor dysfunction is incredibly common. In a recent study1, 56% of women in a large cohort had symptoms of urinary incontinence and the authors identified menopause status as a key factor that increased the chance of someone experiencing problems.
Pelvic floor function can change in midlife and when it does, the embarrassment and bother leads many women to reduce their activity levels. In fact, a 2023 study2 of over 4,500 women, suggests that up to 50% of women who experienced pelvic floor dysfunction stopped exercise as a result.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is incredibly common, symptoms may start or become more apparent during midlife, due to hormonal changes. It is highly treatable with the right input and should never be accepted or ignored.
We know that exercise matters in midlife more than ever. Stopping exercise and physical activity can contribute to a range of other issues such as changes in metabolic health, low mood and worsening sleep.
The majority of women in this particular study had told no-one in the sport/exercise setting about their issues. Maybe this isn’t surprising; it can be an extremely personal and embarrassing subject to discuss with anyone. But what a missed opportunity! Exercises could have been amended, and pelvic floor-specific work integrated. Not to mention the missed opportunity to refer women on for specialist input.
Women in the study were clear that they wanted sensitive questions to be included in conversations that take place in sports and exercise settings. They wanted to see knowledge, trustworthiness and empathy from sport and exercise professionals.
It’s our job to ask
Pelvic floor dysfunction is incredibly common, and many women will experience their first symptoms, or worsening symptoms in midlife. It is highly treatable with the right input and should never be accepted or ignored. We’d like all sport and exercise professionals to have good conversations with women about pelvic floor health.
At MFC we never shy away from pelvic floor conversations, in fact every single one of our clients will be asked about their pelvic floor function. Even if they have no problems, we still encourage some good housekeeping. If women do have symptoms we’ll build specific, evidence-based exercises into their programme and direct them to more specialist input.
References
- Peinado-Molina, R.A., Hernández-Martínez, A., Martínez-Vázquez, S. et al. Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevalence and associated factors. BMC Public Health 23, 2005 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16901-3
- Dakic JG, Hay-Smith EJC, Lin K, et al Women’s preferences for pelvic floor screening in sport and exercise: a mixed-methods study integrating survey and interview data in Australian women British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57:1539-1549.