As girls transition into their teenage years, they experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. And one crucial aspect of their health that is often overlooked is pelvic health.
Research underscores the importance of initiating pelvic health education early, particularly as young girls engage in sports and other high-impact activities. Early education on the topic plays a vital role in safeguarding girls’ long-term well-being.
The Importance of Early Education
Pelvic health issues- such as stress, urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP)- are commonly perceived as concerns for postpartum and menopausal women. However, recent studies reveal that young, nulliparous female athletes—those who have not given birth—are increasingly experiencing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction.
A study by Joseph et al. (2021) highlights that high-impact activities like volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and running are linked to a higher prevalence of SUI in young female athletes due to increased intra-abdominal pressure that exceeds intra-urethral pressure.
Supporting these findings is research by Dr. Jodie Dakic APAM at Monash University (recently featured in the Australian Physiotherapy Association Magazine, InMotion), which shows that pelvic floor symptoms are a significant barrier to participation in sport and exercise for women of all ages. Nearly half of women surveyed stopped participating in high-impact sports due to pelvic floor issues, including 1 in 3 young women aged 18-25 with symptoms.
This 2023 study analysed women’s preferences for pelvic floor screening, with results showing that many women hadn’t disclosed their pelvic floor symptoms in sports or exercise settings, but they supported adding respectful questions about these symptoms to existing screening practices. Health and exercise professionals can encourage disclosure by demonstrating knowledge, trustworthiness, and empathy.
Current treatments for these conditions and preventative steps include pelvic floor strengthening exercises and pessaries. As an adjunct to the standard treatments there are new, innovative, and evidence-based solutions like SRC Restore compression garments. These shorts and leggings are now recognised as valuable tools in managing conditions like mild to moderate SUI and POP and are endorsed by both the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and Australian College of Midwives.
SRC Restore garments work by delivering continuous, even compression to the perineum, providing a proprioceptive feedback loop to help positively influence pelvic floor muscle activity. Unlike traditional incontinence products that focus solely on leakage absorption, these garments aim to minimise or prevent leaks.
Such garments can be an integral part of comprehensive pelvic health management, with 93 per cent of the products’ reviewers saying they would recommend SRC Restore to a friend. As the company provides a 100 per cent Money Back Guarantee, these products are definitely worth trying.
The Role of Schools and Healthcare Providers
By incorporating pelvic health into health and physical education, schools can ensure that all girls receive necessary information about their pelvic floor muscles and their role in supporting pelvic organs, as well as help girls to understand why certain activities may adversely affect them.
Healthcare providers should also be proactive in discussing pelvic health with young patients. Routine screenings for pelvic floor health during check-ups can help identify early signs of dysfunction and provide timely intervention.
The evidence points to an urgent need for pelvic health education in early secondary school. Educating girls about the importance of a healthy pelvic floor can empower them to take positive steps, preventing these issues while staying active and preserving their future quality of life.
Pelvic Floor First an initiative of the Continence Foundation of Australia both provide great resources and you can search national database of APA to find the right physiotherapist in your area.