Written by Shu Huimin , Attending Physician, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital
Reviewed by: Chief Physician Dai Zhiyuan, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital
Source｜Medical World Obstetrics and Gynecology Channel
In recent years, pelvic floor rehabilitation has become very popular, and I often see many people asking about it in the comments section.
Therefore, we invited Dr. Dai Zhiyuan and Dr. Shu Huimin from Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital to answer your questions!
It's important to know that pelvic floor dysfunction is a medical condition, and you shouldn't feel ashamed about it.
Let's get to the main text!
Question 1
Some people are overly anxious about pelvic floor disorders, while others ignore them altogether. Why is it important to have a correct understanding of this condition?
Pelvic floor dysfunction includes uterine prolapse, vaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence, postpartum vaginal wall laxity, unsatisfactory sexual life, urinary leakage, and fecal leakage.
Younger postpartum women are often concerned about vaginal wall laxity and unsatisfactory sexual life; severe childbirth injuries can lead to urinary and fecal incontinence. Middle-aged and older women, on the other hand, are more likely to experience uterine prolapse and anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapse. Although this condition is not life-threatening, urinary incontinence can occur at any age, impacting daily life.
Therefore, when symptoms are mild, pelvic floor exercises or pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy can be used to prevent the condition from worsening.
Question 2
What complications can arise if pelvic floor dysfunction is not treated promptly?
If left untreated, as the condition worsens, it can lead to varying degrees of pelvic organ prolapse, difficulty walking, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction, severely impacting a woman's quality of life.
Question 3
In recent years, some beauty institutions have been promoting pelvic floor rehabilitation. So, who are the right people for pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment? And which institutions should one go to for pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment?
Before undergoing pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment, you should have a pelvic floor assessment at a specialist clinic in a medical institution to understand the type and degree of pelvic floor dysfunction. Mild to moderate pelvic floor dysfunction can be treated with pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment should be performed at a pelvic floor clinic of a regular medical institution, not at a beauty clinic.
Question 4
Are there any contraindications for pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy? What precautions should be taken?
Pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy includes self-administered pelvic floor exercises, vaginal weights, and physical therapy.
There are no absolute contraindications for pelvic floor exercises, but vaginal weights and physical therapy should not be performed during the acute inflammatory phase of the reproductive tract.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment takes time to show its effects. Generally, a pelvic floor assessment can be performed again after 4-6 weeks of treatment.
Question 5
When can pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy begin? Is earlier treatment always better for recovery?
Pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy can be started when mild pelvic floor dysfunction occurs.
If it is a postpartum woman, pelvic floor assessment and rehabilitation treatment can be performed 42 days after delivery, after the lochia has stopped.
Question 6
After treatment that restored various functions, is there a risk of relapse as I get older?
The root cause of pelvic floor dysfunction is the relaxation of pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and other tissues. As we age, the elasticity of these tissues inevitably declines; this is an irreversible natural process. The goal of pelvic floor rehabilitation is not to reverse this natural process, but rather to slow down the rate of muscle and ligament relaxation through treatment.
Question 7
Many pregnant women worry about developing pelvic floor dysfunction and choose to practice yoga during pregnancy. Is this kind of training scientific?
If you have professional guidance and a prior yoga experience before pregnancy, you can continue practicing.
If you have never practiced before and are unfamiliar with your own physical condition, it is recommended that you do not start practicing as a beginner during pregnancy.
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