HysterSisters Articles for Hysterectomy

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Help Your Floor Do More

From the Pelvic Floor Articles List

You’ve probably heard a lot about your “pelvic floor” by now, but you may still be wondering what your pelvic floor is and why it’s so important. Well, wonder no more!

What does it do?

Your pelvic floor is basically a hammock of muscles and connective tissues that support your lower organs. It supports your body’s movement, balance, stability, and flexibility. More specifically, it supports the bones in the spine, structures the abdominal cavity, contributes to sexual pleasure, and controls the passage of urine and stool. When the pelvic floor is weakened, you may experience incontinence, constipation, painful or non-pleasurable intercourse, prolapse, and/or low back or abdominal pain.

Why should I be concerned about it?

Menopause and hysterectomy are among the main causes of pelvic floor weakness. If you’re among the HysterSisters, your pelvic floor has been compromised through surgery and/or by the loss of estrogen, and it needs some help either gaining back the strength it lost or maintaining the strength it has left!

So what do I do about it?

The most popular way to strengthen the pelvic floor is to do Kegel exercises—the squeezing, holding, and releasing of vaginal muscles. Kegels have been around since the 1940s, and they have proven effective for many women, but they are not the only option for strengthening the pelvic floor.

Other strengthening methods include perineal massage and squatting. Perineal massage involves inserting the thumbs (with lubrication) inside the bottom of the vagina and exerting downward pressure toward the back of the spine. This helps increase circulation to the area, making it more flexible. Squatting is a simple exercise that simultaneously stretches and strengthens the pelvic floor (along with toning those glutes and thighs—an added bonus!).

Anything else I should know?

Healthy habits are extremely important. Obesity, smoking, inactivity, and diets full of fatty, processed foods, can all contribute to pelvic floor weakness. Regular exercise and a diet high in protein, fruits, and vegetables, on the other hand will not only help keep your pelvic floor strong but also help support a healthy, able body.


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HysterSisters Articles

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Pre-Op Hysterectomy
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Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
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Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
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Grief and Loss
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