Important Tips for Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction Patients

Dos and Dont’s for Proper Toileting

For patients living with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, United Urology physical therapists offer these important tips:

• Do relax your muscles to urinate
• Don't strain
• Do drink at least 64 ounces of water per day
• Don't allow yourself to become dehydrated
• Do limit your coffee, alcohol and fruit juice intake
• Don't drink these bladder irritants, which will only make your urinary symptoms worse
• Do learn to delay frequency of urination
• Don't run to the restroom with the first urge - train your bladder muscles to hold it for a little longer than you're comfortable with to build muscle tone
• Do include fiber in your diet
• Don't become constipated, which can exacerbate your incontinence issues
• Do drink your water in a 12-hour period
• Don't drink fluids two hours before bed except a small amount with medications, if needed
• Do exercise regularly - walking, swimming, etc. are great, low-impact aerobic exercises that will keep you healthy and feeling strong
• Don't be a couch potato!