Definitions and diagnoses, let alone scientific ones, are seldom made intelligible. And that is exactly what we want to break through with this platform. We want to offer women qualitative information in an accessible way. So they can take matters into their own hands and put their own body on top of their "To Do" list!
Preventing pelvic floor problems
Based on the World Health Organisation's definitions of prevention, the prevention and resolution of pelvic floor problems can be divided into three categories (1):
1. Primary prevention: means that women who are not yet experiencing pelvic floor problems do everything possible to avoid pelvic floor problems in the future.
2. Secondary prevention: means that women who do have problems are guided and helped to get rid of them as well and as quickly as possible.
3. Tertiary prevention: this means that women who continue to have pelvic floor problems are guided and assisted in dealing with their symptoms and that aggravation of the persistent symptoms is avoided as much as possible.
These three forms of prevention are extremely important. So does that mean that in an ideal world we could help every woman with primary prevention?
Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.' - Michele Obama
Customised solution
Unfortunately, it is not that simple. We know that there are many causes that sometimes make it difficult for us and we cannot always avoid these difficult problems or even get rid of them completely, but there is a tailor-made solution for every woman.
Some women just need a few tips to adjust their daily habits and schedule, others may want to actively start exercising their pelvic floor muscles to be able to lift or relax better, some may need supporting medication, tools and/or nutritional programmes, and others may be advised to undergo something more radical after a series of tests.
Anyway, prevention is important for every woman. Pelvic floor problems are difficult and often rather embarrassing complaints that have a negative impact. They weigh heavily both physically and psychologically. They affect a woman's ability to be a woman and sometimes even cause her to avoid social activities.
With our platform, The Pelvic Floor, we want to reach every woman. Complaints or no complaints? We are ready to help you!
Get help from a professional
With whom should you seek help? The most important thing is that you, as a woman, can go to someone who knows about pelvic floor problems and whom you feel comfortable with. A medical professional who knows about these intimate problems will probably be able to refer you to the right colleague.
Which medical or health professionals should you contact first? Your family doctor, your (perinatal or pelvic floor) physiotherapist, your gynaecologist, your urologist, your bowel specialist, your midwife, your psychologist, your sexologist or any other person you can trust!
Don't you have someone in mind right away? Then we would like to refer you to our own team and the recognised specialised professional associations. More information on how and where to find and contact these people can be found here.
Don't get us wrong, not everyone necessarily needs pelvic floor exercises but every woman deserves some extra info about her pelvic floor.
Many greetings,
Hedwig Neels,
Kinesist, passionate about pelvic floor problems and Women's Health!
(1) NeelsHedwig. Pelvic floor dysfunction in women : tackling barriers. University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018,1-136, p.30. https://repository.uantwerpen.be/docman/irua/889b1f/148356.pdf
