Tip of the Week: Allergies Could Be impacting your pelvic floor too
Have you been overcome with the pollen lately? Me too. Welcome to spring in Atlanta! I never struggled with seasonal allergies before moving here (but don't get me wrong... growing up in Colorado had it's own collection of challenges!), and over the years, I've built my own management strategy-- generally a mix of allergy meds, eye drops when needed, and appropriately timed pressure washing! Seasonal allergies impact so many of us... but did you know that they can impact your pelvic health difficulties too? Here are a few ways your allergies and your pelvic health may be connected.
Sneezing/coughing can increase pressure on the bladder: The increase in sneezing and coughing that can accompany seasonal allergies often leads to increased pressure on the pelvic floor. While of course we want the pelvic floor to be resilient, and able to manage that pressure, if it is already having some difficulty, coughing and sneezing can seem to make the problem worse. This could look like increased bladder leakage or increased pelvic discomfort.
Seasonal allergies can also increase bladder frequency problems: Seasonal allergies can lead to increased sensitivity of the nerves going to the bladder, leading to increased bladder contractions. Interesting, right? In fact, a 2021 study of children with overactive bladder (OAB) found an interesting correllation with allergies, particularly in the children with mild OAB symptoms.
Constipation can be a side effect of antihistamines: Did you know that constipation is a side effect of some allergy medications? Certain antihistamines, especially when taken regularly, can cause constipation to occur. Constipation is well-known in the pelvic health world to worsen literally almost every pelvic health problem... seriously... from pelvic pain to bladder leakage to sexual dysfunction & more!
Some people with Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis can be sensitive to high levels of pollen: Seasonal allergies and food sensitivities can be a factor in some (but definitely not all!!) cases of IC/PBS and Chronic Prostatitis. In fact, a large study in 2021 found that moderate and high levels of pollen were associated with symptom flare onset in people with allergies.
Allergic rhinitis (aka... the sneezing and congestion that comes from allergies) can impact sleep quality and sexual health: A 2009 study of individuals with allergic rhinitis found negative impacts on sleep quality, fatigue, and sexual health. In fact, 83% said their sexual activity was affected sometimes and 17% said it was negatively impacted all the time.
So, where do we go from here? If your allergies are negatively impacting your life (and your pelvic health!), speak up! Talk to your doctor and build a plan for management that works well for you! And if they have caused any negative pelvic health symptoms-- we got you! Even if you worked with us a long time ago-- sometimes a few check-in appointments can make all the difference in the world to get you back on track!
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Weekly Tips Pelvic Health Tips By Dr. Jessica Reale PT, DPT, WCS