What Women Don’t Talk About, But Should

Well, I’ve returned from a longer than planned health break and am undergoing therapy and rehab for my pelvic floor. Thankfully, it looks like it’s working and I might be able to avoid surgery!

I’ve learnt a lot from this experience and I’m grateful for that. For example, I didn’t realize how important the pelvic floor is, or that it could be damaged. I knew that was supposed to hold everything in place down there. But I didn’t realize how problematic issues with it can be.

I really didn’t know much about it. This made me feel a bit like Mr. Tumnus in C.S. Lewis’ book “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, when he told Lucy, “Oh dear, if only I had worked harder at geography when I was a little fawn.” I hear you, Mr. Tumnus – if only I’d studied anatomy more when I was young!

What we don’t talk about

I’ve noticed that women are usually reluctant to discuss prolapse and pelvic floor issues, even though they’re quite common. I understand why, as they seem kind of private and a little embarrassing. However, if nobody talks about it, we might not know that help is available or where to go for it.

And that’s not good. Firstly, because pelvic floor issues are uncomfortable to live with. However, they are usually treatable, sometimes with minimally invasive treatments. And, because without treatment, they’re likely to get worse until surgery becomes the only solution.

Why we should speak about it freely

That’s why I’m talking about it. I had to stumble around trying to find help. I didn’t know where to go or that pelvic floor specialists exist!

I later discovered that some of my friends had dealt with similar problems. If only they had shared their experiences, it would helped me and probably other women too.

And when you think about it, why should we be embarrassed? We don’t hesitate to mention that we might have a sore throat, or diarrhea or a stomach ache. So why should we avoid talking about pelvic floor issues, almost as if they are somehow our fault?

I have received so much help through my pelvic floor specialist that I am more than happy to recommend her to my friends. I want to make sure they can get help quickly and easily.

I now have a much better understanding of what the pelvic floor is and how to improve and maintain pelvic health. The therapy involves exercising the internal muscles and using electrical stimulation, which isn’t exactly pleasant, but it’s very effective. The related problems, which were very stressful, have also mostly disappeared. I’ll spare you all the details 🥺

I feel much better. In fact, I’m actually looking forward to starting my spring cleaning! The only problem is that this year we have to paint first, and I do not look forward to that at all!

I have already started decluttering, which is always a great satisfaction. I do wonder, though, how so much stuff finds its way into my house. It seems like there is always something to get rid of!

My therapist said that many women, especially postmenopausal women, just live with pelvic floor issues as if they were normal. But they’re not. We shouldn’t have to live pain, discomfort, or continence issues. That’s why it’s important to talk about these things, just as we would with any other health problem.

What about you? Have you ever experienced pelvic floor issues? Did you seek help, and know where to find it?

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