We’re back, bringing you more intel with Dr. Cindy Neville. PT, DPT, WCS. This Board Certified Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy and has been treating women with pelvic floor disorders for over 30 years. Translation: She’s a bona fide expert when it comes to pelvic problems. Here, she shares 4 things she thinks every woman should know about what’s going on down there.
It All Starts With the Pelvic Floor
“The pelvis is the center of your body’s universe. It connects your upper and lower body, so it’s literally the center and the core of your body. Babies are conceived there and your bowel and bladder function is there. The pelvic floor even affects the way we breathe. When those things are working fine, you don't even think about them. But if they’re not, it can cause a lot of problems.”
A Weak Pelvic Floor Causes Major Issues...Especially in the Bedroom
“So many bad things can happen when you have a weak pelvic floor. It can reduce respiratory capacity. This can lead to even more issues—like digestion problems. It can also take away sexual pleasure. Your pelvic floor muscles have to contract to orgasm. Plus, many women who have pelvic floor problems feel pain during sex, which obviously makes it hard to enjoy the experience. And, of course, a weak pelvic floor can lead to urination problems. You may notice needing to go more frequently. Beyond that, women with dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles sometimes don’t fully empty their bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infections.”
Repeat After Us: Pelvic Problems Affect ALL Women
“Over the course of my career, I’ve seen all types of women. I see women who have had babies, and women who never have. I see patients who think it’s normal to have pelvic floor pain or to pee twenty times a day. Frankly, many women don’t understand the pelvic floor. Research supports this. There have been a lot of studies that have found a lack of understanding surrounding pelvic health amongst women of all age groups. Thirty percent of high school girls experience significant pelvic floor symptoms. There’s just no awareness about it. And it’s too bad because it has been shown that with just an hour or two of education, a woman’s knowledge level grows—and as they understand more, they’re able to address their pelvic floor issues.”
Things Can Get Better Quickly—If You Do The Work
“Improvement can happen quickly—almost as soon as you start addressing the muscle dysfunction going on. Most women I see start to notice a change in two or three visits.”
