These benchmarks are general. They complete an exchange with the professionals who follow you and do not replace a diagnosis or an individualized program.
Benchmark 01
Talking about the symptom that concerns you
A leak when you cough, an urgent desire difficult to delay, a feeling of gravity or pain during a report do not describe the same situation. The useful advice can therefore be different. It is possible to consult even if the symptoms seem moderate or old: it is not necessary to wait until they become very embarrassing.
To prepare for the exchange, describe the context without looking for perfect words. When does this happen? What activities have you started to avoid? Is there any pain, recent childbirth, surgery or constipation? A short note can make it easier to consult if the subject makes you uncomfortable.
Benchmark 02
The pelvic floor does not work alone
The pelvic floor muscles participate in several functions with other structures. Breathing, exertion, transit and urinary habits are part of the context. To say that a perineum is simply "weak" without examination may lack coordination or relaxation.
Repeated contractions are therefore not a universal response to pelvic pain. A competent physician, midwife or physiotherapist in this area can assess the situation and help you identify the right movement. The osteopathy is not a substitute for this or the indicated rehabilitation.
Bench 03
Washrooms: preserve time and comfort
Settle down without haste and look for comfortable support. For stools, avoid pushing long or systematically holding the envy. Persistent constipation deserves accompaniment; never-ending increase in fibers is not always suitable for pain or bloating.
For urine, do not transform the interruption of the jet into repeated exercise. If you need to push to urinate, if the bladder appears to be emptying badly or if you have repeated infections, ask for an opinion. Do not significantly reduce all drinks to avoid leaks: this may create other difficulties.
Benchmark 04
Efforts and Physical Activity: Thinking in Steps
Rather than ban an activity forever, identify what triggers the symptom: a load, a series of jumps, a duration or fatigue at the end of the session. A provisional adjustment may allow the balance sheet to continue differently. A short walk or a different workout can be more accessible than a full stop depending on your situation.
After childbirth or an operation, the timetable alone is not sufficient to decide whether to resume. Pain, healing, bleeding, fatigue and pelvic symptoms enter into the discussion. Abdominal exercises, impacts and loads are reintroduced according to instructions and tolerance, not according to an identical video for all.
Bench 05
What does individual accompaniment look like?
A program can target strength, endurance, coordination or relaxation, with a check of the gesture and follow-up points. There are other options depending on the diagnosis. Devices and applications do not replace evaluation; buying an accessory before knowing what is being sought may be unnecessary.
Ask for concrete explanations: how to recognize movement, how to breathe, when to relax, under what circumstances to stop, and how to know if it helps. An exercise that is understood and reassessed is more useful than a long list with doubt or pain.
Bench 06
To regain confidence, without guilt
Symptoms can affect outings, sex life or confidence in sport. The impact is to be heard, even when an examination does not show a significant anomaly. You can ask to be accompanied by a professional with whom you feel comfortable and ask your questions before an intimate examination.
The objective is not limited to counting contractions: it may be to walk more calmly, to take up a leisure or to reduce the anticipation of leakage. Inadequate evolution leads to a review of the balance sheet and options, without assigning you responsibility for "bad work".
A first step
Preparing your balance sheet
Example of organization to adapt to your situation, without performance objective.
- Note the main symptom, its triggers and its impact.
- Gather useful information: childbirth, surgery, treatments, pain and transit.
- Ask who can make the assessment and what goals will be followed; do not start painful contractions.
Traps to avoid
- Make stop-pipi a training routine.
- Multiply contractions despite pain or difficulty in releasing.
- Banish a persistent leak or severely reduce drinks without notice.
When can I ask for an opinion?
A new impossibility of urination, blood in the urine, severe pain or fever warrant prompt advice. A recent loss of urinary or fecal control associated with perineum insensitivity or weakness of the legs is an emergency: call 15 or 112.
Your questions
Is it just a subject after delivery?
No. Pelvic symptoms may occur at different ages. The proposed NICE resources mainly concern women; other situations require appropriate support.
Should we always be strengthened?
Not until you know what's needed. Some situations also require coordination, relaxation or other support.
Is an application sufficient?
It can help to follow an explained and adapted program. It does not determine the diagnosis, the correct technique or the precautions alone.
The documentary selection
See, read, deepen
Monitoring, habits and preparation of exchanges with professionals.
www.ameli.frRecommendation · EnglishNICE NG210 — pelvic floor disorderRecommendations for women, prevention and non-surgical treatment.
www.nice.org.ukGuide / resource · EnglishNHS — non-surgical treatments for incontinenceReview, support and placement of the supervised programme.
www.nhs.ukGuide / resource · EnglishNIDDK — bladder habits and healthGeneral advice and limitations of prevention.
www.niddk.nih.gov