Urogynecological physiotherapy is an important topic for women. Urogynecological physiotherapy is not only the treatment of already acquired diseases, but also the prevention of future problems. Due to biological conditions, ladies are particularly prone to problems with the peri-pelvic area. Therefore, every woman, regardless of age, should have the pelvic floor muscles and the genitourinary system examined. Check if you should attend urogynecological physiotherapy.

Urogynecological physiotherapy consists in prophylactic treatment, conservative treatment or treatment in the perinatal period of women with urogenital disorders. In Poland, it is still a little-known type of physiotherapy, and it turns out to be extremely necessary among women of all ages.

Problems with urinary incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse or ailments related to the spine and pelvis are the basic symptoms of problems with the pelvic floor muscles. Fortunately, the awareness of women is growing and they turn to physical therapists for help more and more often. The sooner we take care of our genitourinary system, the greater the chance of a non-invasive cure and avoiding surgery in the future.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - what is it

Urogynecological physiotherapy is a conservative, prophylactic or pre-pregnancy treatment of dysfunctions related to the pelvic muscles and the genitourinary system.

This type of physical therapy consists of therapeutic exercises of the pelvic floor muscles and other parts of the pelvic area, and electrostimulation of the muscles with the use of special devices. Most often, electrostimulation is performed using the biofeedback method, i.e. the doctor and the patient control the exercises causing pelvic contractions supported by professional equipment.

Treatments and therapies are aimed at restoring the efficiency and function of the smaller pelvis and its area, and the methods of treatment are often used interchangeably so that they bring results as quickly as possible.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - methods

1. Kegel exercisesthat keeps the bladder in place and keeps the organ functioning properly. Treatment depends on the type of urinary incontinence and the severity of the symptoms.You can practice everywhere. You should contract your muscles as if you wanted to stop the flow of urine. The Kegel muscle can also be trained in the toilet. This involves stopping urination by suddenly tightening the muscles and relaxing them for only a few seconds. Kegel exercises should be performed even by people who are currently okay. Exercise 3 times a day. Perform each exercise 10 times.

2. Bladder training- therapy that consists of urinating according to a schedule (at certain times) and gradually increasing the time between going to the toilet (high level of recommendation, moderate quality of evidence). In case of stress urinary incontinence in women, the doctor may recommend inserting a special vaginal disc (the so-called pessary), which strengthens the pelvic muscles and makes it easier to control urination.

3. Vaginal weights.The operation of this method is based on sensory feedback. The patient, feeling the weight coming out of the vagina, contracts the pelvic floor muscles and thus strengthens them. The exercises begin with a weight that a woman is able to hold in her vagina while walking for 1 minute. With him, she carries out daily activities for 15-20 minutes a day.

4. Biofeedbackconsists in providing feedback on changes in the physiological state. Physiological and pathological changes in the organism are monitored by apparatus, which includes rectal or vaginal probes, which receive signals about the desired and undesirable work. The visualization of these signals on the screen and the sound effects allow patients to understand the function of the assessed muscles, their work, and also facilitate their control.

5. Electrostimulation . In patients with urinary incontinence, the muscles that make up the pelvic diaphragm are 'denervated'. Electrostimulation causes contraction of the external urethral sphincter, causing its tightening and an increase in intraurethral pressure, as well as contraction of the levator ani. It leads to the strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles. Electrostimulation can be continuous - it is used for many months, several hours a day, or short-term - when it lasts several or several dozen minutes and is used twice a day or less frequently, even once a week, for several weeks or months.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - when to visit a physiotherapist

It is best to go to a physiotherapist when you recognize the first symptoms of problems with the muscles of the pelvic floor. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to get them back on track. A physiotherapeutic consultation may save us from surgery,which unfortunately is the result of neglecting this area of ​​the body.

All women who want to consciously use the pelvic floor muscles and eliminate problems related to the spine or hips or get more pleasure from sexual intercourse (for this purpose mainly work on the Kegel muscles) should also visit the doctor.

Preventive treatment is very important in the case of pelvic floor muscles, as this area can be difficult for any woman - regardless of age.

Due to their structure and biological conditions, women are particularly exposed to problems with the reproductive organs and their area. For this reason, any woman who wants to examine the pelvic floor area and learn how to prevent their dysfunction can visit a physiotherapist.

Women planning pregnancy and those in the peri-or postpartum period should also seek help if they have any problems related to pelvic muscles.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - what helps

Ailments that can be classified as specialist help from a physiotherapist include:

  • 1st and 2nd degree urinary incontinence, e.g. overactive bladder (pollakiuria, urgency), stress urinary incontinence
  • reduction of reproductive organs, e.g. uterine prolapse, cystocele, enterocele, rectocele
  • faecal and gas incontinence
  • straight abdominal muscle stretch
  • chronic back pain
  • sexual problems, such as vaginal pain during sexual intercourse or not feeling pleasure.

Urinary incontinence - causes

There are many causes of urinary incontinence, they can be gynecological, depend on the functioning of the muscular system or be the result of an improper lifestyle. The most common causes of urinary incontinence are:

  • obesity
  • menopause and menopause
  • neurological diseases
  • multiple pregnancies
  • smoking
  • hard physical work, overloading the muscles of the abdominal press
  • abnormal body posture, abdominal abdominal tightening and abdominal tightening
  • frequent urinary tract infections
  • taking diuretics and relaxing medications
  • systemic diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, senile dementia.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - effects

The effects of urogynecological physiotherapy are noticeable after about 6 weeks from its commencement (we are talking about permanent effects that eliminate the problem). Although it depends mainly oneverything from the severity of the patient's ailments and self-denial.

Of course, this requires the constant commitment of the sick person - regular exercise and prophylaxis. On the other hand, the first effects suggesting reduction of symptoms can be noticed after about 2-3 weeks from the start of therapy.

Urogynecological physiotherapy - conservative treatment

In order to eliminate the first symptoms of urinary incontinence, we should start conservative treatment aimed at preventing the development of the disease. At the beginning, it is worth starting by changing your daily eating habits and switching to a balanced diet low in citrus that can irritate the bladder, as well as caffeine and theine.

Secondly, we should focus on pelvic floor muscle exercises that will relax these areas in women with overloads and strengthen them in women whose muscles are too weak. For this purpose, we should strengthen the rectus abdominis muscle, the pelvic floor muscles (e.g. Kegel muscles) as well as the lumbar spine muscles and the muscles around the hips.

Check: What are the effects of pelvic floor exercises?

However, to find out what specific exercises we need to perform, we should go to a qualified physiotherapist for a diagnosis, who will recommend appropriate training.

In the first stages of the disease, it is usually helpful to change your body posture, reduce the time spent sitting and learn to breathe calmly, diaphragmatic. The next step is pharmacotherapy - useful in women with overactive bladder, it will calm the bladder and reduce the frequency of urination. If these methods fail, we must go to a physiotherapist and start specialist treatment.

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Pregnancy