what does collagen got to do with the pelvic floor muscles?

If you have little droplets soaking your panties while you laugh or running, listen up!

Yes, Kegels are popular for pelvic floor strengthening, but diet also affects it as good health is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. Collagen, known for skin benefits, supports all tissue including pelvic floor muscles. Can consuming collagen improve pelvic floor health? Lets' have a look!

pelvic floor health & Collagen

The pelvic floor is made of muscles, skin, and fascia that keep organs (e.g. bowels, bladder, reproductive organs) in place and supports bladder control, sex drive, and more. Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, helps form the structure of skin, bone, fascia, and muscle, including pelvic floor tissues, but levels decline over time due to aging, smoking, genetics, etc. This leads to weakened pelvic floor as collagen thinning and muscle mass decrease. Research shows lower collagen levels in women needing pelvic floor strengthening (I got that covered), and increased collagen breakdown tied to stress urination. 

Can collagen supplements help?

The effect of collagen supplements on pelvic floor health is unclear. While there is evidence linking collagen and pelvic floor health, research on the impact of oral collagen supplements is limited and inconclusive. However, restoring collagen through supplementation may aid pelvic support and strength, as seen in studies where collagen supplementation helped build muscle mass. 

COLLAGEN AND GUT HEALTH

You know the saying "Trust your gut"? Well, it is true! The gut is a MAJOR emotion centre. If your gut is not healthy, how can your emotions be happy? Studies show that collagen can aid gut health, as the amino acids in collagen, like glutamate, proline, and glycine, support digestive health and serve as fuel for intestine cells. Good gut health is linked to pelvic health as the gut and pelvic floor are connected. Urogynecologists suggests taking nutrients that support natural collagen production, such as vitamin C, E, and astaxanthin, and notes that supplementing with these may have benefits. For example, a study found that postpartum women who took a multivitamin with high-potency zinc, leucine, and omega-3s had improved pelvic floor recovery after delivery.  

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