What’s going on Down There? Part 1 - Pee

What’s going on Down There?

Part 1 (Pee)

Nope. Not Australia. In your pelvis!

The bony pelvis houses a few essential functions of our bodies. The 3 Ps: Pee, poo and pleasure. Or in medical terms, bladder, bowel and sexual functioning. These can be embarrassing topics that many people do not want to talk about, but they are common issues. However, these problems are not normal, but are quite treatable! Did you know that there are physical therapists (PTs) that specialize in treating conditions related to these functions?

Let’s talk about pee and bladders first.

Urine Incontinence is a medical diagnosis for not being able to control pee. More often this is called “leaking,” and it can happen in both men and women. People may experience this with everyday movements, exercise, or activities like coughing, laughing, sneezing. It can also happen when you are already on the way to the bathroom and you just don’t quite make it.

This can happen when the pelvic floor muscles are weak or too tight. The pelvic floor muscles can become weak for multiple reasons. Just to name a few: pregnancy and childbirth, abdominal or pelvic surgery (prostate or gynecological), or with general deconditioning, which is common with aging. Many people see television ads for protective products like Depends or Poise and think leaking is a normal part of aging. That is just not true! A pelvic floor PT can do a thorough assessment of your pelvic floor muscles, as well as surrounding anatomy, to determine the best way to reduce or stop your leaking.

So please, talk to about these issues to your healthcare provider, or search for a pelvic floor PT in your area. There are physical therapists ready to help you regain your strength and control over these issues!

An easy way to search for a pelvic floor PT is through https://ptl.womenshealthapta.org/