Pelvic Floor Health

Having well-toned pelvic floor muscles improve a woman’s orgasmic response, prevents incontinence and helps during and after giving birth. Easy and fun to use, Smartballs are a must for all women. Find out how to improve your PC (Pubococcygeus) muscles here.

Did you know that over 40% of Australian and New Zealand women suffer from varying degrees of incontinence?

It is estimated that up to 46% of women experience some degree of incontinence during pregnancy, with up to 30% having an incontinence problem following delivery. Plus as we age the problem compounds! (For more about the causes, read information at the bottom of the page.)

You are not alone if you experience one of these signs of incontinence:

• Do you sneeze and wet your pants?
• Can you no longer bounce on a trampoline?
• Can’t go running without an uncomfortable leak of urine?

Women of all ages may suffer from mild incontinence. This issue can be remedied for most women of any age, whether you are 60 or 16 and whether you never had a child, had one 6 weeks ago or 40 years ago.

Many younger women, especially those who have worked in retail or hospitality when they must hold on for long periods of time before going to the toilet, may also suffer from incontinence.

Pelvic Floor Muscles

The pelvic floor muscles are located above and around the vaginal opening, supporting and connected to the uterus. They contract when we orgasm, give our partner a squeeze on the penis or dildo and they stretch when we give birth.

Yoga and Pilates are an excellent form of exercise for improving pelvic floor tone. Many women who regularly do either Yoga or Pilates may find their PC muscles are in excellent shape. Stopping your flow mid-stream every time you urinate is also a great way to locate and workout those PC muscles.

For those of use who haven’t quite got around to regular exercise (even though we think about it often), Smartballs are an easy and effective alternative.

With minimal effort, a bit of up front work and monthly maintenance, you can get those PC muscles into shape and intensify your orgasms! A nice ‘side effect’ to strong PC muscles is the ability to squeeze your partner’s fingers or penis.

What are SmartBalls?

To find out all about Smartballs and how they work, go to All About Smartballs.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the body releases hormones that allow the pelvic floor muscles to relax. During this time women can be prone to incontinence. Ideally you will use Smartballs before getting pregnant with your first child. This will set you up to reduce the risk of incontinence during pregnancy and post-natally.

Smartballs Pre-Childbirth

If you are planning on having more children, now is a crucial stage for early prevention of incontinence.  PC muscle stretching can be more pronounced with each successive child.

Smartballs and Pregnancy

Smartballs are NOT recommended for use during pregnancy. Get your pelvic floor muscles in shape prior to becoming pregnant, as good PC muscles before a natural birth encourages quicker recovery of the muscles, improves general vaginal health and can help in greater control when pushing.

Smartballs Post-Childbirth

If you didn’t get around to exercising your PC muscles before pregnancy, that’s okay. The next most optimum time is from 6 weeks after giving birth (provided everything is all healed up).

If you had one or more children and your PC muscles never recovered, then Smartballs can still offer you a good chance of recovering pelvic floor strength! Even if you had your children decades ago, Smartballs can help.

Good PC muscles can support the vaginal walls and help to prevent a prolapsed uterus.

Menopause

During menopause a woman’s body produced the same hormones as during pregnancy, and the pelvic floor muscles soften, often leading to incontinence. Again it is ideal to get your PC muscles in good shape prior to menopause, if you do not, you may need to use your Smartballs for a longer time to get them back in shape.

Hysterectomy

Women who have had a hysterectomy can successfully use Smartballs. As the pelvic floor muscles will most likely be intact Smartballs will be of great benefit. Depending on how much PC tone you have initially can determine whether you start with Smartball Uno or go straight to the Smartball Originals.

Prolapsed Uterus

Many women who have had a prolapsed uterus may only find it possible to insert one ball, so we recommend using the Smartball Uno and plenty of waterbased lubricant. You will get benefit from this. You will be able to work out for yourself if you think you will be able to move to the Smartball Originals, although this may not be possible.

Causes of Incontinence in Women

This information was found at Women’s Health Queensland.

Stress incontinence most often results from weakened pelvic floor muscles which support the bladder and the urethral sphincter muscles. Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common causes of weakened pelvic floor muscles. During pregnancy, hormonal changes and the extra weight and pressure of the baby contribute to weakening. The pelvic floor muscles may also be weakened during childbirth, particularly in a prolonged second stage of labour, if the baby is bigger than 4kg in weight or there is an instrumental delivery.

It is estimated that up to 46% of women experience some degree of incontinence during pregnancy, with up to 30% having an incontinence problem following delivery.

Pelvic floor muscles weakness can also be caused by the straining often associated with constipation or coughing. Therefore, smoking is associated with stress incontinence as smokers often suffer from chronic coughing. Excess weight is a contributing factor as the pelvic floor muscles are forced to carry a heavier load. It has also been found that some women have a genetic predisposition to pelvic floor weakness.

At menopause the reduction in oestrogen levels can contribute to a loss of tone in the urethra, therefore, affecting its closing pressure. Reduced oestrogen levels also cause the pelvic floor muscles to become less elastic and, therefore, may aggravate existing muscle weakness.

Treatment

Pelvic floor exercises are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through actively tightening and lifting them at intervals. Strong, well activated pelvic floor muscles help support the bladder, uterus and bowel.

The exercises are designed to work three different parts of the pelvic floor muscles:

• the muscles that control urine flow;
• the muscles that control the anal sphincter (muscles around the anus)
• and the muscles that surround the urethra and vagina.

The pelvic floor muscles also interact with the deep abdominal muscles.