Hi Ladies, this is a guest article from a writer at drugwatch.com. They help with awareness for drugs and products that can have harmful effects when used incorrectly or which have been found later to have been found to have harmful effects. One of these is the product mesh that has been used for pelvic prolapse surgery. This article is well written and discusses alternative options to surgery and little bit about prolapse in general. Hope you all enjoy:) Christy
Strengthening the Pelvic Floor
Though many women are not aware of their pelvic floor, it performs many functions. The pelvic floor primarily supports the pelvic organs—like the uterus, bladder and rectum—but also provides support for the baby during pregnancy, plays a role during childbirth and contributes to sexual function and orgasm, balance and continence.
The pelvic floor HYPERLINK "http://www.drugwatch.com/transvaginal-mesh/pelvic-organ-prolapse.php"can be HYPERLINK "http://wwwdrugwatch.com/transvaginal-mesh/pelvic-organ-prolapse.php" weakened as a result of obesity, pregnancy, depleted estrogen levels during menopause, straining during childbirth, high-impact activities or chronic cough. When it loses its ability to function properly, pelvic floor disorders like stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can result.
Pelvic Floor Disorders
SUI refers to the accidental release of urine during everyday activities like laughing, coughing or sneezing, or anything that places pressure on the bladder.
Prolapse occurs when pelvic organs droop into the vagina. It can have varying levels of severity. Some women never experience symptoms, and it is not a condition that necessarily progresses. However, women who experience symptoms describe the pain and pressure of pelvic organs shifting out of position, moving lower and resting against the vaginal wall.
In severe cases of these conditions, surgery to repair the pelvic floor can bring relief. However, surgeries that use HYPERLINK "http://www.drugwatch.com/transvaginal-mesh/"transvaginal HYPERLINK "http://www.drugwatch.com/transvaginal-mesh/" mesh have higher rates HYPERLINK "http://www.drugwatch.com/transvaginal-mesh/" of complications like debilitating pain, organ perforation, sexual dysfunction and the need for revision surgeries. Procedures that do not can be equally effective.
Surgery should be considered only after natural treatments have proven unsuccessful. Nonsurgical treatments—ranging from physical therapy to the use of a vaginal pessary—can be effective in reducing symptoms.
How to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor
As with all things, eating well and exercising can do wonders for pelvic floor maintenance. Exercises like Pilates and yoga are known for encouraging core strength, pelvic floor engagement and good posture.
Physical therapy gives women individualized pelvic health care. Physical therapists may use electrical stimulation, similar to chiropractic, to exercise pelvic floor muscles. In a similar way, therapists may use biofeedback therapy to help locate and isolate the pelvic floor muscles.
After using biofeedback to make sure the correct muscles are being used, physical therapists will recommend that women perform Kegel exercises every day. These subtle contractions can be performed while lying down or sitting, but therapists recommend completing them standing and during other activities to really build strength.
Kegel exercises have been known to restore continence, ease labor, prevent prolapse or reverse mild symptoms, and improve the sex lives of many women. These exercises are particularly important after childbirth, which is known to weaken the pelvic floor.
Physical therapists may also include massage therapy to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow and help realign displaced tissues and organs. Therapists can also create custom exercise plans and provide instruction on techniques that women and/or their partners can use at home.
Linda Grayling is a writer for Drugwatch.com. She enjoys keeping up with the latest news in the medical field.
