Does Vitamin D Effect Pelvic Floor Function?

Recent health studies have shown that in women, the higher your vitamin D levels the lower your chance is of having a weak pelvic floor. Out of the women researched, nearly a quarter reported pelvic floor weakness and, regardless of age, those with incontinence had significantly lower vitamin D levels1. On the other hand, women over the age of 50 that didn’t have incontinence had a higher level of Vitamin D.

So how does vitamin D affect your pelvic floor?

Nutrition plays an important role in muscle function and for some time Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to poor muscle strength and loss of muscle mass. Vitamin D receptors are present in our muscles and therefore may have a direct effect on your pelvic floor muscles, so this is important information for those with incontinence.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Signs that you may have low vitamin D may include aching bones and excessive head sweating, however the only way to know for sure that you have low vitamin D is by having a blood test. Your body absorbs vitamin D from the sun, so you can become deficient during the winter months.

Here are five ways to help with your Vitamin D intake through nutrition:

  • Vitamin D supplements can help you get your daily dose. However, it is important not to overdose on vitamin D and if you are unsure about how much you should be taking, speak to your doctor first.
  • Cod liver oil assists in keeping your bones healthy and also containing not only essential omega 3 fatty acids, but also vitamin D.
  • Eggs also contain some vitamin D and are a convenient way to keep topped up, as they can be incorporated in breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eggs have many health benefits; however moderate intake is advised as they are also high in cholesterol.
  • Fish high in unsaturated fats such as salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna are also good sources of vitamin D.
  • Some milk and juices may be fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin D has many health benefits but is also important in assisting pelvic floor health. If you think a lack of Vitamin D is affecting you and your pelvic floor, we recommend you speak to your doctor to check if you’re deficient and how you can increase your intake.

Strengthening your pelvic floor with INNOVO

Easy to use and comfortable to wear, INNOVO helps you safely and effortlessly strengthen and re-educate the entire network of pelvic floor muscles through gentle muscle stimulation.

Using INNOVO for just 30 minutes a day/five days a week over 12 weeks has been proven to treat bladder weakness – delivering results in as little as four weeks4.

INNOVO treats Stress, Urge & Mixed Incontinence in both women and men of all ages, and is the only non-invasive pelvic floor exerciser that targets the root cause of the problem. Use INNOVO's Stress Incontinence programme which will focus on delivering muscle strengthening stimulations to the entire network of pelvic floor muscles. And best of all, it works! A clinical study found that:

  • 80% of users saw a significant reduction in leaks after just 4 weeks4
  • 87% of users were defined as either dry or almost dry after 12 weeks25
  • 90% of users would recommend the therapy to others6