Forget the numbers. Age is about how you feel, right?
Unless you’ve discovered the secret for never-ending youth, your body will inevitably change as
you age. What really matters is how you look after yourself, no matter how many candles are on
your birthday cake.
Read on to understand how mother nature can meddle with the strength of your pelvic floor
muscles and what you can do to stay your vibrant self.
20s
In your twenties, your get-up-and-go energy knows no bounds. Your body is at its prime, you’re at
your most fertile, and every day is a new adventure.
While your superpower to spring back after a big weekend is in full swing, don’t go overboard.
High-intensity exercise or heavy lifting can stress your muscles and ultimately lead to a weakened
pelvic floor. Yes, mum was right – too much of a good thing does exist.
The tell-tale sign that you’ve pushed it too far is bladder leaks when you cough, sneeze or laugh.
Even without these symptoms, establishing a self care routine with pelvic floor exercises will
ensure you stay strong and healthy as you prepare for the next phase of life.
30s
If we had to choose a decade to get into the groove of pelvic floor exercises, this is it. According to
Harvard Medical School, you begin to lose as much as 5% of your muscle per decade after the age
of 30 – and the pelvic floor is no exception.
It’s a time for big changes, and one of the biggest for many women is the transformational
experience of becoming a mum.
While your body is working to support a little human, your pelvic floor muscles are working
overtime. This muscle group keeps the organs of the lower abdomen in check and stretches to
accommodate childbirth, often leaving mum with a weakened pelvic floor. It’s common for many
mums to be battling with bladder leaks as a result, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Whether you are recovering post-pregnancy, preparing to have kids, or just looking to keep feeling
your best – daily pelvic floor exercises are essential. Just three minutes a day can rehabilitate this
important muscle group so you can forget the leaks and keep doing what you love.
40s & 50s
Armed with the wisdom of youth and the accomplishments of adulthood, these are the years to
tick off the bucket list. While you may have no intention of slowing down, your hormone levels have
another plan.
The natural decline of estrogen can impact the function of your vaginal canal and lead to
weakened pelvic floor muscles. Without strength and tone in this important muscle group,
pressure from a laugh or sneeze can lead to bladder leaks.
While all women will experience some changes in their bodies in the lead-up to menopause, it’s
important to remember that age alone is not a direct cause of pelvic floor challenges. Your
lifestyle is one of the largest contributors to pelvic floor strength.
Staying active, maintaining a balanced diet and making time to take care of yourself with pelvic
floor exercises is key to staying in tip-top shape. The good news is that it’s easy to start making a
change today. Adding pelvic floor training to your day can help you manage your body’s natural
changes and be transformational to your long-term health.
60s+
The tried and tested method to keep feeling your best in your mature years? Put your health first.
Your collection of life events, such as pregnancy and menopause, has seen your body undergo
some major changes. It’s normal that it will need some extra TLC to maintain your strength and
support you for many more years to come.
The natural aging process means many people over 65 years will experience sluggish digestion or
constipation. This can cause stress on the pelvic floor muscles and lead to bladder leaks. Keeping
your body in check with a diet high in fibre and balanced nutrition will support your digestive
system and prevent additional strain on your pelvic muscles.
It also helps to stay active – and we’re not just talking about going for morning walks. Your pelvic
floor muscle group need exercise to maintain strength and support your bladder, bowel and
uterus. A weakened pelvic floor can be significantly improved with the help of a targeted training
device, like PeriCoach.
Knowing that you’re contracting correctly and seeing your improvements in real-time takes the
guesswork out of your recovery. Rehabilitating your pelvic floor is a goal that all women can
achieve with the right guidance. There’s no better time to start than now.