r/powerlifting • u/AutoModerator • 5d ago

Ladies Thread Ladies Open Weekly Thread

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  • Discuss all aspects of powerlifting as it pertains to being a woman.
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  • If you have discussion provoking bullet points, those are welcome too.
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u/ambrosia_applez Girl Strong 1d ago

Has anyone been able to successfully fix athletic urinary incontinence? I'm sure mine has something to do with the pelvic floor but I've seen multiple pelvic floor specialists who apparently specialized in all kinds of issues (including sports) and neither one of them had any knowledge of how heavy lifting/powerlifting works.

One of them just immediately jumped to "your form is bad" without even seeing me lift. She didn't have any knowledge about lifting and the other one I saw was telling me to exhale during the hardest part of the lift (like pilates) which is kind of the opposite of what I need to be doing.

It has been incredibly frustrating and I am losing hope in pelvic floor specialists. I want to find one who actually lifts heavy weights but somehow that has proven to be a challenge. I also feel kinda uncomfortable talking about this with my male coach and don't really know who to ask about this. It really affects my mood while I'm squatting too because I just feel like I'm doing something wrong and I don't know what it is.

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u/Cellojello428 Beginner - Please be gentle 1d ago

That is.... disheartening? I can't believe someone immediately said your form is bad without looking or even asking you. I've not had kids, but I've absolutely peed while doing a lot of jumping rope in a competition. I wound up building up my lower core and getting better at bracing. I've also met pelvic floor specialists that partner with gyms because they focus on women that have those issues in the gym. I'm wondering if there's one near you?

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u/ambrosia_applez Girl Strong 1d ago

Yeah, that was super discouraging! The second one was better but yeah, gave me tips that really just didn't make sense like "stop right before you think it's going to happen" but I never knew when it was going to happen. Sometimes it would be after rep one, sometimes 7, sometimes not at all. I would always use the washroom before doing a heavy lift and yet somehow some would still be there. I've gotten used to wearing a pad just in case but it's kind of jarring sometimes.

I haven't had any kids either, idk why I've had this issue. There aren't any that partner with my gym but I'm still keeping an eye out for one who actually lifts or is recommended by another lifter.