How many times you've heard of stress incontinence or have you experienced this type of discomfort on your own skin? And did you have any idea that the Urine leakage is a more common problem than one can imagine among sporting (and non-athletic) women?
To clarify the topic we had the pleasure of speaking with an extraordinary woman, a multifaceted figure who embodies the force, determination and love for sport: Alice Mastriani.
A former CrossFit® athlete, mother, physiotherapist and osteopath, Alice is a true inspiration who has decided to share his unique experience through informative videos on his Instagram profile.
Alice is not just a professional in the world of health and fitness, but one woman who has made self-care a priority, recognizing the importance of harmonizing mind and body.
During our conversation, we will explore with her a delicate and often overlooked topic in today's society: stress incontinence.
In a world where physical activity has become an integral part of his professional and personal life, Alice approached the topic of motherhood with a unique perspective. dall 'training during pregnancy to the delicate steps of post-partum, Alice has dedicated herself to filling a gap in the care of women and new mothers, focusing on the fitness journey and mental well-being.
Through his engaging project AMprogram, Alice offers not only that answers to common questions related to training during pregnancy and the postpartum period, but it creates a community of aware women. This community is guided by a fundamental principle: dedicating quality time despite the daily frenzy.
In this interview, Alice invites us to reflect on two key words: will and consistency. A precious reminder to pursue well-being with determination and regularity.
Through her unhurried approach, Alice encourages us to take meaningful steps towards our goals, demonstrating that Wellbeing is a journey that takes place one step at a time.
Hello Alice! Thank you so much for being so helpful! Let's start with the basics: what is urinary leakage during physical activity and why is it common among women who practice CrossFit ®?
Hi everyone! So, as you said at the beginning, this is a problem that affects many women, not just athletes.
It is often a topic that is kept hidden out of modesty and that is not addressed and, therefore, resolved.
Stress incontinence is that situation in which the muscle that is responsible for retaining urine (bladder sphincter) fails to close the urethra properly when the bladder starts to get full.
Usually leaks (a few drops) occur during exertion, such as: coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting loads, jumping...
And why is it important to take the health of the perineum into consideration when practicing sports, especially CrossFit ®?
Let's say that if you do very heavy sports or efforts without managing the health of your pelvic floor you can experience very early stress incontinence.
But in this case several factors intervene, such as genetics or poor management of the training load/volume.
It must also be said that we women are anatomically predisposed to a relaxation of this part of the body, unlike men.
We are curious: can women be affected at any age?
As I said before, we women have an anatomical predisposition towards tissue alteration of the pelvic floor and perineal muscles.
When we are under stress and the abdominal pressures increase significantly, the retention of the pelvic floor viscera and their contents is the responsibility of the muscles (while the men down there have everything closed!).
In CrossFit® you lift heavy loads repeatedly and it is important that you do not leak urine during these movements because it's NOT normal.
So you were saying that there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing these urinary leaks?
Undoubtedly, genetics represents a crucial element, however, both pregnancy and, in particular, childbirth (with the stages of labor and expulsion) can play a decisive role, also influenced by age and the consequent hormonal fluctuations.
As already mentioned, the lack of attention to the correct lifting technique during exercises, together with the inappropriate management of loads and volumes, can contribute to many women facing this problem.
What are the long-term effects of urinary leakage on women's health?
First, stress incontinence could undermine a woman's social sphere; Furthermore, neglecting and not treating this condition could aggravate it, increasing the risk of developing bladder prolapse.
And how can we train the perineum to avoid these discomforts? Is it possible to do exercises alone at home?
Yes, you can also do something on your own, but it would be a good idea to first understand if the incontinence is caused by muscle weakness or hypertonicity (midwives officially take care of this).
But in the meantime I leave you two contents with some information and exercises: stress incontinence e exercises to do!
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Ali, finally: what are the main tips you give to women for maintaining good pelvic health while continuing to practice intense sports?
I highly recommend developing a conscious knowledge of this area, acquiring good proprioception of the pelvis, the perineal muscles and the related contractions, which are often invisible externally. It is essential to learn how to contextualize these contractions during physical efforts.
In addition, I would never underestimate the problem, but I would address it promptly. Ignoring it could further compromise the situation, while prompt management can lead to an effective solution.
If you want more information regarding women's health, contact Alice Mastriani via her website or social channels!