Why is your pelvic floor health important?

The muscles and tissues that make up the pelvic floor ensure that your pelvic organs stay where they are supposed to stay. A healthy pelvic floor helps you avoid pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urine leakage and other issues in the future.

Your pelvic organs are your vagina, uterus, cervix, bladder, urethra, rectum and intestines. Our San Antonio OBGYNs look for issues with your pelvic floor during your annual wellness exam, and they can help you if you develop symptoms, too.

Is there anything you can do to maintain good pelvic floor health?

If you have minor pelvic floor issues or still have a healthy pelvic floor, there are some things you can do to help yourself.

• Avoid placing extra strain on your pelvic floor by getting to and maintaining your healthy weight.
• Eat a healthy diet that helps you avoid constipation and strain when you have bowel movements.
• Avoid heavy lifting. When you do lift things, use good technique, such as lifting with your legs.
• Do exercises to strengthen your core.
• Do Kegel exercises.

Should you do Kegels?

The basic answer is yes — do Kegel exercises! But, learn to do them properly. If you have pelvic organ prolapse, and you push down when you perform the exercises, you could do more harm than good.

Talk to our San Antonio OBGYNs about how to perform Kegels properly. If you need extra help, a physical therapist with special training in how to treat pelvic floor health issues can help you learn the right way to exercise your pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic organ prolapse and other problems that require care from our San Antonio OBGYNs

If you develop POP, an experienced physician needs to diagnose and treat your problem. Our OBGYNs have the skill and compassion to help you through these sometimes difficult and embarrassing issues. There are a variety of treatment options for pelvic floor problems, ranging from the least invasive to surgery.

Here are few examples of treatments you and our team may pursue to improve your pelvic floor health and quality of life.

• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, a healthy diet and strengthening your core
• Pessaries, devices that you insert into your vagina to help support your pelvic organs
• Surgery to repair pelvic floor support problems and reduce or eliminate symptoms

Pelvic floor health is so important for your quality of life. The more you learn about pelvic health, the more you can work to stay healthy or get help when you need it. Contact us for an appointment with one of our experienced San Antonio OBGYNs.