Strictly pro opens up on ‘embarrassing’ health condition as she admits ‘it was scary’
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing pro Kristina Rihanoff has bravely opened up about struggling with bladder weakness after giving birth to her daughter Mila eight years ago.
Kristina shares Mila with her partner, rugby star Ben Cohen, and revealed how she initially felt too ashamed to seek help.
She told Closer magazine: “I didn’t really talk to anyone at the time, I felt embarrassed.
“I didn’t in a million years think I’d have issues, but I couldn’t feel my pelvic floor muscles or my core.
“It was scary, because you need those muscles to be coordinated on the dance floor.”
Bladder weakness is far from uncommon.
According Tena, one in three women experiences the issue after childbirth or menopause.
However, Kristina, who quit Strictly in 2015 and is now a qualified yoga instructor, wants women to know that recovery is possible.
“You can get back to normal; I did and it’s never too late. You just have to work on the right muscles,” she added.
To help other women, Kristina recommended an online programme called MUTU, which focuses on rebuilding core and pelvic floor strength.
She said: “It’s really easy, and you can do just five to 10 minutes a day.”
The professional dancer also shared a simple exercise tip using a small Pilates ball to assist with pelvic floor workouts.
“You put it between your thighs when you do your pelvic floor exercises.
“It’s a really good tool because it helps with muscle engagement—when you use it, everything works a bit better, stronger and quicker.”
Kristina, who has partnered with Tena as part of the launch of new Tena Silhouette underwear, has developed a dance routine incorporating Kegels and gentle exercises.
When returning to dancing, Kristina noticed a significant change in her core and pelvic floor muscles, which forced her to take eight months away to focus on yoga, breath work and Pilates.
Kristina added: “I’m so passionate about this campaign because I feel like it’s time for us to come together, break the stigma and start talking about this issue.
“We need to empower women to seek the help they need, to talk about this problem without feeling embarrassed and support all those women who might be struggling.
“All these issues are completely natural, and we shouldn’t feel inadequate about our bodies.
“We need to show you can be positive and happy and make real changes with simple exercises which can be done at home.
“People can’t understand their pelvic floors, it is like an enigma, and no one talks about it, no-one knows where it is – you have to find it, make fun of it, laugh about it and address it.”