Physiotherapy Department – Pelvic Floor Exercises After Gynaecological Surgery.
The role of the pelvic floor muscle is to support the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, vagina and uterus) to prevent prolapse and to control continence of the bladder and bowel.
Why do I need to exercise my pelvic floor muscles?
It is important to maintain strength in these muscles in order to prevent problems occurring, or to increase their strength when problems have occurred. The pelvic muscles need to be strong and able to work in the right way and at the correct time.
Improving the tone of your muscles after surgery will help your recovery by:-
How do I exercise my pelvic floor muscles?
Sit comfortably with your thighs, buttocks and tummy relaxed. To find the pelvic floor muscles you need to feel two sensations:-
This exercise is classed as a ‘secret exercise’. This means that no one can see you perform it. As long as you do not pull a face whilst doing it. Try not to pull in your tummy, squeeze your leg together, tighten your buttocks or hold your breath.
Research has shown that to effectively strengthen the pelvic floor you need to repeat the exercises at least Three time a day for approximately Six months.
Additional Important Advice
It is good practice to tighten the pelvic floor muscles before you cough, sneeze, laugh or lift. This protects them from additional day to day pressure and strain. Being overweight also puts extra strain on the pelvic floor muscles, so losing weight can be helpful if indicated.
For ongoing pelvic floor care, make sure that you avoid constipation and heavy lifting as these activities will put too much pressure through the pelvic floor and potentially cause problems. It is also advisable to avoid full sit ups and double leg lifts
You may experience constipation after your operation but it is important that you do not strain to pass a motion. Make sure that you sit and relax on a toilet. Adopting a forward lean position assists the pelvic floor muscles to relax. You may find it helpful to support the area between your legs with a pad, just in front of the back passage when passing a bowel motion or wind.
The role of the pelvic floor muscle is to support the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, vagina and uterus) to prevent prolapse and to control continence of the bladder and bowel.
Why do I need to exercise my pelvic floor muscles?
It is important to maintain strength in these muscles in order to prevent problems occurring, or to increase their strength when problems have occurred. The pelvic muscles need to be strong and able to work in the right way and at the correct time.
Improving the tone of your muscles after surgery will help your recovery by:-
- Supporting the pelvic organs,
- Easing discomfort (reduce swelling/bruising and encourage circulation),
- Help maintain or improve bladder and bowel movement.
How do I exercise my pelvic floor muscles?
Sit comfortably with your thighs, buttocks and tummy relaxed. To find the pelvic floor muscles you need to feel two sensations:-
- Imagine you are trying to stop yourself from passing wind,
- And at the same time you should also imagine you are trying to stop the flow of urine mid-stream.
This exercise is classed as a ‘secret exercise’. This means that no one can see you perform it. As long as you do not pull a face whilst doing it. Try not to pull in your tummy, squeeze your leg together, tighten your buttocks or hold your breath.
Research has shown that to effectively strengthen the pelvic floor you need to repeat the exercises at least Three time a day for approximately Six months.
Additional Important Advice
It is good practice to tighten the pelvic floor muscles before you cough, sneeze, laugh or lift. This protects them from additional day to day pressure and strain. Being overweight also puts extra strain on the pelvic floor muscles, so losing weight can be helpful if indicated.
For ongoing pelvic floor care, make sure that you avoid constipation and heavy lifting as these activities will put too much pressure through the pelvic floor and potentially cause problems. It is also advisable to avoid full sit ups and double leg lifts
You may experience constipation after your operation but it is important that you do not strain to pass a motion. Make sure that you sit and relax on a toilet. Adopting a forward lean position assists the pelvic floor muscles to relax. You may find it helpful to support the area between your legs with a pad, just in front of the back passage when passing a bowel motion or wind.