Signs of a weak pelvic floor may include:
- Urinary leakage
- A feeling of pressure in the pelvis
- Prolapse (a feeling of organs shifting or dropping)
- Diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles)
- Fecal leakage
- Pain in the pelvic area
A weak pelvic floor can result from several factors, such as repeated pregnancies and births, long labors, straining on the toilet, lifting heavy objects improperly, “push peeing,” and lack of physical activity.
A common misconception: Not all weak pelvic floors need Kegels. Many people with weak pelvic floor muscles also have tight pelvic floor muscles. In these cases, doing Kegels can actually make symptoms worse. This is why a proper evaluation is key to finding the right treatment.
