Daily life. Organ descent, urinary leakage… These four female ailments which remain taboo

“Why didn’t they tell us sooner?” » This question, Julie Cantournet, physiotherapist expert in abdo-perineal rehabilitation, must answer daily. This is why she wrote, with Alexia Cornu, sports coach specializing in female physiology, a Guide to Women’s Health

. A manual which aims to inform all women, from the first period to menopause, of the small and major ailments of everyday life, and which also gives advice on how to cope better with them, or prevent them.

“Prolapse, people don’t know what it is”

Because there are still many taboos around women’s health. “Prolapse for example, people don’t know what it is,” laments Julie Cantournet, “even though it affects on average one in two women” according to figures from the High Authority for Health. Prolapse is more commonly called “organ descent”. This is a sagging of the organs of the lower abdomen (bladder, uterus, rectum), which results from a relaxation of the muscles of the perineum. It can appear at any age, although it is more common after the age of 50. “There can be a sensation of a lump in the vagina, of a poorly placed tampon,” explains the physiotherapist, “but sometimes the prolapse is asymptomatic, it is discovered by chance during a gynecological examination.” A prolapse is possibly accompanied by urinary problems, constipation or anal incontinence, and pain during sexual intercourse. “Consult as soon as you have any discomfort,” summarizes Alexia Cornu. “And even preventatively, especially if you are prone to constipation because it is the first cause of organ descent, or if you play sports with strong abdominal pressure. »

Urinary leaks: “one in three women and not just the oldest”

Another taboo subject: urinary leakage. We talk little about it, and yet, “they affect on average one in three women, and not just the oldest,” insists Julie Cantournet. The risk of incontinence increases with the number of pregnancies, but also, it is less known, with chronic respiratory allergies – because repeated coughing or sneezing stresses the abdominal cavity and the perineum -, or even with intense physical activity . “Among women who compete on trampolines, for example, urinary incontinence rises to 80%, and we are talking about women who have not had children,” explains the physiotherapist. “We realize that sports like crossfit, where there is a lot of pressure on the abdominals, impact sports, are harmful,” adds Alexia Cornu. “After a while, the perineum is no longer able to perform its function. “In prevention, the two experts recommend in particular an active lifestyle, but without excess disproportionate to one’s abilities, as well as “good toilet habits”, such as “do not hold back from peeing for too long”, “do not do not push to go faster”, or even “sit on the bowl if possible, because in the squat position the perineum is not relaxed”.

Lochia: postpartum is not all happiness!

And lochia, who has heard of it before giving birth? This bleeding is one of the many postpartum inconveniences. They occur even after a cesarean delivery and can last several weeks. It is necessary to consult if these lochia become excessively abundant or are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, recalls the guide in the chapter devoted to postpartum. During this period, it is also recommended to use sanitary napkins, and not tampons or menstrual cups, in order to limit the risk of infections. “For years, we only heard positive things about childbirth, like how it’s the happiest day of a woman’s life. We have other concerns from the people we support,” confides Alexia Cornu. “And we absolutely wanted to talk about it. It’s revolting to only talk about fantastic things, it makes all those for whom childbirth was a nightmare feel guilty. »

Perimenopause: “Sometimes from 35-40 years old”

“We talk a lot about menopause, but in reality what is complicated is the period which precedes the cessation of periods, that of perimenopause. Because once you are menopausal, things get much better,” explains Alexia Cornu. On the other hand, when the reproductive system slows down, many symptoms can appear: hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, weight gain – particularly in the stomach area… “In some people, it starts at 35-40 years old and the average it’s between 40 and 50 years,” specifies the expert. “To get through this period as best as possible, a healthy lifestyle is very important,” insists Alexia Cornu. “Keep a good diet, good hydration, good sleep, learn to manage your stress, maintain physical activity,” she lists. Don’t worry too much either, because if in our Western society, menopause is associated with aging, with a reduction in performance, in certain African countries, or in Japan, it is on the contrary presented in a positive way, a symbol of maturity and experience. As a result, women suffer less. So there is nothing more effective than lifting taboos!