Anne Hathaway, 43, Says Pelvic Floor Health Changed Her Life: ‘I’ve Learned So Much’
Doctors explain why pelvic floor health matters and share three easy ways to support yours
Key Takeaways
- Anne Hathaway says learning about pelvic floor health improved her life.
- Pelvic floor changes with age can affect bladder, bowel and sexual function.
- Breathing, bathroom habits and less straining can support pelvic floor health.
Think about all the things you were told about women’s health growing up. If you can’t think of much beyond how to deal with your period, you’re not alone. While perimenopause and menopause are now hot topics, other vital issues like pelvic floor health are just starting to take center stage. Even Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning star Anne Hathaway,43, recently spoke about the lack of knowledge around pelvic floor health during a press tour for Verity. Below, find out why it’s top of mind for Hathaway, what doctors want you to know about pelvic floor health and three expert-approved tips to support your pelvic floor at home.
What is the pelvic floor, and why does it matter?
“The pelvic floor is like a sling, or a hammock of muscles and connective tissue that stretches from the pubic bone in front to the tailbone in back, and from one sitting bone to the other,” explains Anna Cabeca, DO, FACOG, triple-board certified ob-gyn, regenerative and integrative medicine physician. “It helps support the bladder, uterus, vagina and bowel.”
So why is the pelvic floor so important for a woman’s health? “The pelvic floor helps control bladder and bowel function and supports the pelvic organs,” says Dr. Cabeca. “It is a major contributor to core stability and plays an essential role in sexual function, including sensation and orgasm. When the pelvic floor is not functioning well, women can experience urinary or bowel leakage, pelvic organ prolapse and pressure or changes in sexual function.”
Why Anne Hathaway wants to write a book on pelvic floor health
In a recent interview with Fandango, when asked what topic Hathway would want to write a manuscript about, she chose pelvic floor health.
“I’ve learned so much throughout my life and there’s so much information that was not available to me as a young woman,” said Hathaway, who’s currently pregnant with her third child. “And then as I’ve aged and discovered it, my life has improved, my energy has improved, my strength has improved.”
“I would want to interview every single expert I could find and write a bible that would actually really help women,” Hathaway added. It’s not just Hathway engaging in this important conversation. Dr. Cabeca says we’re all finally having a larger conversation around pelvic floor health—and it’s about time.
“For too long, symptoms like bladder leakage, pelvic pressure or discomfort were brushed aside as simply ‘part of aging’ or something women should just learn to deal with discreetly, quietly,” says Dr. Cabeca. “We now understand much more about pelvic floor health, and importantly, women are learning that there are treatments and therapies available, and most importantly, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
How pelvic floor health changes with age
“Pelvic floor health becomes particularly important during and after menopause,” says Dr. Cabeca. “As estrogen levels decline, the tissues of the vagina, vulva and urinary tract can become thinner, drier and less elastic. Age-related changes in muscle strength and connective tissue can also affect pelvic support.”
As your pelvic floor muscles experience these age-related changes, some women experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Tessa Ladd, OT, Orlando Health Pelvic Floor Occupational Therapist, shares a few signs to watch out for, including:
- Urinary leakage
- Feeling a bulge or “ball” at the vaginal opening
- Decreased sensation during intimacy
- Sensation of heaviness or pelvic pressure
- Difficulty controlling gas
3 easy hacks to improve your pelvic floor health at home
If, like Hathway, you’re ready to prioritize your pelvic floor health, give these smart tips a try:
Stop taking ‘just in case’ bathroom trips
“Avoid visiting the bathroom repetitively or out of habit,” says Ladd. “Rather, work to improve your awareness of when your bladder is truly full. When voiding, take the time to allow your pelvic floor muscles to fully relax so that your bladder can empty completely.”
Practice diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing)
Ladd says that people tend not to know the diaphragm and pelvic floor have an interesting connection. “The dome-shaped diaphragm is considered the top of your core, while the bowl-shaped pelvic floor is considered the bottom of your core. Hence, they have a rhythmic connection and relationship with each breath. With each inhale, the pelvic floor moves in a downward direction and is lengthened. With each exhale, the pelvic floor elevates back to its original resting position.”
How to do it: “Lie back or sit comfortably with one hand on your heart and the other on your abdomen. Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly—and your pelvic floor—gently expand like a balloon, then exhale through your mouth as everything softens,” explains Allyson Augusta Shrikhande, MD, chief medical officer and co-founder of Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Shrikhande recommends breathing like this for five to 10 minutes or whenever you feel clenching or stress begin.
Stop straining in the bathroom
“Chronic straining on the toilet is so hard on the pelvis—it places intense physical pressure on delicate pelvic floor muscles and can inflame the nerves running through the region,” says Dr. Shrikhande. “Make sure you’re staying hydrated and eating enough fiber, but most importantly, bring a footstool like a Squatty Potty into your bathroom. Elevating your knees above your hips naturally unkinks the rectum so stool passes effortlessly without forcing it.” Dr. Shrikhande recommends making this quick adjustment a daily habit when you sit on the toilet.
The bottom line on pelvic floor health
Awareness of women’s health issues and knowing what to do about them comes from learning from each other. Whether pelvic floor health comes up naturally in conversation, like it did for Hathaway, or you simply try one of the tips above, know there are plenty of ways to support your pelvic floor health.
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