Question

Stress urinary incontinence (involuntary urine loss with increased intraabdominal pressure) can be helped with pelvic floor strengthening by targeting which muscle?

Answer 1

Stress urinary incontinence can be helped by targeting the levator ani muscle during pelvic floor strengthening exercises, such as Kegel exercises.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stress urinary incontinence, which involves involuntary urine loss with increased intraabdominal pressure, can often be managed through exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. The key muscle targeted for pelvic floor strengthening is the levator ani muscle, which is a critical component of the pelvic floor.

The levator ani includes two major skeletal muscles: the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus. This muscle group is essential in supporting the pelvic organs, resisting intra-abdominal pressure, and functioning as a sphincter for the urethra, rectum, and vagina. By performing Kegel exercises, one can strengthen these muscles, potentially reducing the symptoms of stress incontinence.