You suffer from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and nothing seems to be working; you are considering surgery but are not sure if that is going to put an end to your complaint. If that explains where you are, this blog is for you.
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is the dysfunction of the floor AND what influences and impacts the floor. Most people associate pelvic floor dysfunction with incontinence, either urinary or fecal incontinence, and think they do not have the issue of pelvic floor dysfunction, but they are mistaken. Pelvic floor dysfunction does not always show up as incontinence, yet, the subtle signs of the ‘influencers and the impactors’ of the floor show up much earlier than the onset of obvious signs such as incontinence. Watch this video to better understand what I am referring to.
Who Should Consider Pelvic Floor Surgery?
The groups of people who likely end up with Pelvic Floor Surgery are women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and delivery with forceps, those who are obese, smokers, experienced trauma to the area, and the elderly.
Bear in mind that you may not be a part of any of these groups and yet need reconstructive surgery. The main complaints are typically:
- Moderate to severe urinary or fecal incontinence
- Uterine or bladder prolapse
- Severe hemorrhoids
- Interstitial cystitis (also knows as pelvic pain syndrome)
The best and wisest focus should be to catch the problem before it is at the level of needing surgery. For instance, being active and not resuming a sedentary lifestyle will allow the pelvic floor muscles to be strong so pregnancy will not have as big of a toll on the floor as it would have otherwise.
Weight is another controllable variable that has its advantages, one of which is a stronger pelvic floor.
The Most Missed Fact About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
You ought to understand that the pelvic floor muscles are only one component of pelvic floor dysfunction, and the only real solution to strengthening the floor is kegel exercises. If you have tried Kegel exercises, you know that they are easy to forget and then only do the bare minimum.
The solution to that issue is the Emsella Chair which provides 11,200 kegels per 28-minute session. While research shows the machine being utilized by SOME urogynecologists and a couple of medspas around my clinic, I can tell you that no other offices operate the machine, as I am sure the steep price tag plays a role.
Since pelvic floor muscles include the ones that line the vaginal track and penis shaft, medspas use the Emsella Chair for cosmetic or so-called Mommy Upgrade treatments, but I can assure you that there was a much different intention behind the making of the device.
As for the use by urogynecologists, of course, the 11,200 kegels do nothing short of strengthening the floor muscles, but how about the other components that LEAD to the floor weakness? Check out the pictures above and below to better understand this very important fact that seems to be continuously missed or undervalued.
What to Look For in a Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon?
In my podcast, I interviewed Dr. Sam Siddighi, a Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon from Loma Linda Hospital that I strongly encourage you to listen to. We covered all major grounds related to the surgery, what to look for in a surgeon, how to find a reliable and expert surgeon. I strongly recommend you pause and listen to this podcast interview.
What to Do After Surgery?
What people do after surgery typically depends on their signs and symptoms. Remember, there are tissues that have been cut and sewed and as such, it is highly important to take the nutrients necessary to facilitate the recovery of the tissue. That typically includes an increase in protein and Vitamin C intake. Unless you have conditions that prevent you from taking them, you should start right away.
The most important factor that is almost never looked at is strengthening all the other factors that contribute to the health of the pelvic floor including lifestyle. For instance, if your work requires you to sit for a long time, you should consider sitting on an exercise ball or an air cushion.
Strengthening of the lower ab, lower back, hips, and sacroiliac joints is a must BUT I am not talking about isolating the muscles or regions to work them out. For example, I am FULLY against doing abdominal crunches.
I explain the alternative in this video:
The only appropriate way to strengthen the weak and stretch the tight muscles in your body, in my opinion, is through the methods of Developmental Kinesiology such as DNS or Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. Click here to watch a short video on the subject, however, you can read about it more in detail in a blog I have written.
Functional breathing is foundational to a healthy pelvic floor and pelvic diaphragm, and essential to the principles of DNS. In the video below you will fully understand why so many people have issues with recovery from surgery or pelvic floor dysfunction in general.
I suggest you visit my blog page to read more about pelvic floor dysfunction and the most commonly asked online inquiries and contact my team for any questions you may have.
Dr. Shakib
