How to cough with a weak pelvic floor?

[OtterInABox]

And no I'm not a weird piss troll. Just someone with a stupid bastard cough that is made all the worse by having a rubbish pelvic floor

Is there actually a 'correct' way to cough to avoid the inevitable? Any tips to make it easier?

I never give a second thought to my pelvic floor until I get a cough - and then I know all about it.

Get a pelvic toner. It doesn’t have to be this way

@Solasum I've got one. Suppose I should actually bloody use the thing?! Got it a couple of years ago when I last had a cough. Cough improved and trainer thing sat in box

Ok, I'll dig it out

Actually I recall what put me off it a bit! I read somewhere that said doing exercises incorrectly causes more harm than good. Something like that

Yes, you need to turn and look over your shoulder when you cough!

@ChristmasTidyings this is the advice I'm looking for!! Does it help then?

Stand and cross your legs is my only guarantee. Have that horrible cough /chest virus and have had to buy Tena Lady pads it's that bad. 😕

So those toner things actually work? Also in horrible cough/peeing nightmare.

You need to brace yourself as per @Happylittlethoughts instructions

I agree with standing and crossing your legs, or sitting down. Plus going to the loo more often to keep your bladder not as full. In the long run, I recommend barre classes (I do mine online) and general core strength exercises over a pelvic toner - I found these much more effective than the toner.

Stand upright, cross your legs at the ankles and lock your pelvic floor muscles. Cough/sneeze then breathe normally BEFORE uncrossing your legs. Pelvic rivers don't work for everybody, I've tried an electric one and it helps a bit but it stops a few weeks after using it and I resent having my vagina electric shocked for 30 minutes a day just so I don't smell of piss.

I’m in same boat - virus and cough for 10 days now and pissing myself every cough.

those who have a toner, which one do you have and would you recommend?

Can I share my pelvic floor fixing trick? Mine has been shot since my last labour (back to back) and I really resented having to do the bloody exercises. Anyway I was so sick of pissing myself with my last cough that I started doing them twice daily, when I brush my teeth. My electric toothbrush has a 2 minute timer so I do 2 minutes, twice a day. My teeth are much cleaner too for doing the full 2 minute clean! I now associate it so start doing my exercises automatically when I start brushing. Pelvic floor feels a lot better. I guess the real test will be the next time I get a cough.

Mine is improving after doing pelvic floor exercises three times a day for the last month. My symptoms really increased at perimenopause. I paid to see a private specialist physio as the NHS wait locally is so long.
She recommended the Gussetgrippers website, the videos on a website that goes alongside the Squeezy App and the perifit training device. I have really noticed an improvement with just doing the simple exercises regularly. I might put the perifit on my Christmas list

GussieGrips used to be on here all the time.
Her campaign DryByChristmas is extremely effective...

twitter.com/GussieGrips/status/1598304444243902465?t=ybqsYP8pewYdVYb2uc1sbQ&s=19

It's blooming horrible, have also got the ' pissy cough ' - at work today , I sneezed and coughed simultaneously ... carnage

Thanks all - a few things to try which I'll get on immediately

It really is making me miserable, on top of having this virus thing. I'm forever leaping off the sofa despite being Tena - ladied up!

It's hard when walking at work or down the street. Having to stop and almost adopt the brace position!

Me too OP I have the virus. It's even worse as I have horrendous sneezes too and have to brace my pelvic floor before I sneeze or cough at the moment.

Simply do a pelvic floor squeeze as you feel the cough coming. So squeeze your bum to stop a fart, your vagina to stop a tampon falling out and then a further squeeze to stop the wee.

Would period pants help I wonder?

Engage your pelvic floor before you cough. Your body should do this automatically but sometimes we lose the connection. If this doesn't work then your pelvic floor is too weak. You could try using the trainer but if you can afford it I'd really recommend seeing a physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic floor health, because as you are aware it's possible to make the issue worse by using a trainer or doing too many kegels (it causes an issue called hypertension).

I agree with stand and cross your legs. It works for me!

Oh that's miserable - poor you. Not hugely helpful today but Have a look at some kegel exercises on you tube. It might help in future This one was was recommended at a menopause event so that you can sit/stand with a sort of curtesy so and don't squeeze your bladder

m.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiDnpZD6t8

@clarrylove I have bought some for using at night as the coughing fits waking me up catch me unawares and I'm very particular about having fresh bedding! Really annoys me if it doesn't stay that way due to this stupid problem

I have noticed a real difference using the Squeezy app - recommended on here, it’s an NHS app