I’m an expert and here’s why wearing tight jeans is dangerous for your health

TRYING to keep your stomach "sucked in" and wearing tight jeans can cause real health problems.

A pelvic floor expert has revealed the damage you can do by trying to look trim and squeezing your stomach.

It can be done either by trying to keep your belly physically pulled in by tensing your abs, or by forcing yourself into tight waistbands.

Both can have an impact on your body, and can be far more damaging than just feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious.

Stephanie Taylor, a pelvic floor expert at , said: "The habit of sucking in your stomach is likely to come from feeling the need to look smaller and have a flat stomach, thanks to decades of fitness trainers and celebrities emphasising the benefits of tight abdominal muscles.

"Also known as 'stomach gripping', sucking in involves pulling your belly button inwards and upwards by contracting the top abdominals.

"This may seem completely normal given how many women do it, but if you do this for too long it can have both physical and mental impacts."

She explained it doesn't just impact your stomach muscles if they are constricted for too long.

What is Hourglass Syndrome?

If you are squeezing in your tummy too much, the pressure is forced onto the pelvic floor.

This can than lead to potential bladder incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse - which would then need surgery.

Your lungs can also be impacted, as everything in your middle region is pushed up - which then makes taking longer and deeper breaths more difficult, restricting the oxygen levels in the blood.

Stephanie added: "You could end up with uncomfortable back, neck, shoulder, and hip pain too.

"Engaging your abs for prolonged periods while walking or standing can alter your body’s mechanics, putting extra load on joints and muscles to make up for the lack of support from the constricted diaphragm.

"When the diaphragm doesn’t descend downwards (as it should) into your belly—breathing into your lower torso—then it puts the neck under strain as it tries to compensate for the lack of breath.

"This plays a critical role in neck and shoulder pain. Your abs may also get so used to being engaged that they become less responsive to it, limiting your body’s ability to see improvements from exercises targeting that muscle group."

She explained it isn't helpful for mental wellbeing either, as if you "suck in" habitually and then manage to let go, it can feel like you don't look good and a vicious cycle is created.

Is it permanent?

If you develop so-called "Hourglass Syndrome" it isn't permanent, but can cause problems in the long term if not treated properly.

Just as it takes time for sucking in to become second nature, it takes time to unlearn it.

The first step to kicking the habit is to be aware you’re doing it. Be conscious of what you’re doing to your body and when.

Stephanie said: "You may find you have to retrain your muscles through belly breath work and abdominal massage. Take relaxed breaths in that fill your stomach instead of filling only your chest.

"Lastly, if you have body confidence issues that are made worse by having to dress up and socialise over the Christmas period, only every wear something that you feel good in – not what you think is on-trend.

"Dressing for your body shape (rather than trying to change it) can help to knock these anxieties on the head."