How does weight gain effect incontinence and prolapse?
A person with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 26 or above can have higher intra-abdominal pressure inside the abdomen and pelvic organs (such as the bladder, uterus and bowel are stretched). This increased pressure in the abdomen leads to:
- Damage pelvic floor ligaments
- Damage the neurovascular structures
- Weaken nerves that support the pelvic floor muscle
- Weaken the pelvic floor
- Increased intravesical pressure
- Increased urethral mobility
In women the organs then drop down and press against the wall of the vagina, causing a bulge that will sometimes stick out through the vagina’s opening called a pelvic organ prolapse. In men the prolapse of bowel can occur.
The effects of weakness of pelvic floor muscle in BMI >26 are:
- Leakage may be experienced when doing things like coughing, sneezing, lifting, laughing or exercising
- Overactive bladder (urgency), a condition in which people feel like they always have to use the bathroom increases
- Difficulty in controlling the release of urine, faeces or wind.
Does Losing Weight Help?
YES. Research has shown that weight loss between 5% and 10% of body weight is enough to experience significant benefits when it comes to urinary incontinence and urgency. Also lessen symptoms of prolapse.
Moreover, daily pelvic floor muscle exercises can also help you strengthen your pelvic floor. Thereby preventing incontinence and prolapse.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 8883 5360 or email at info@sydneywomensphysiotherapy.com.au
Shivanthy