Prevention and Management Options for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction – Quick start

How can I prevent pelvic floor dysfunction?

1. Physical activity and maintaining a healthy diet

Physical activity and a healthy diet can help prevent pelvic floor dysfunction.

The UK Cheif Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidlines recommend that adults aged 19 to 64 years should;

• • aim to be physically active every day;

• • engage in muscle strengthening activities at least two days a week;

• • engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity (such as brisk walking or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (such as running) each week;

• • minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary

Having a balanced diet can benefit the pelvic floor, in particular, by eating enough fibre, because this can improve stool consistency. See the Office for Health Imporvement and Disparities, The Eat Well Guide.

2. Weight loss

Being overweight or obese may increase pelvic floor dysfunction; a greater body weight results in increased abdominal pressure, which causes more downward pressure on the pelvic floor.

3. Managing constipation

It is important to avoid constipation as this puts extra strain on the pelvic floor msucles and can worsen prolapse symptoms.

See the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) guidance for Improving Your Bowel Function.

How can I manage pelvic floor dysfunction?

There are various tretament options for symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, some more suited to the individual than others. The recommended first line of treatment is supervised pelvic floor muscle exercises. See the topic page for more information.

Others include: