What is pelvic floor? Read about the anatomy and find out our tips!

What is pelvic floor? Let’s face it: the pelvic floor is not something we often talk about. Yet this muscle group is essential to your well-being. As a woman, it is important to understand how your pelvic floor works and how to strengthen it. A healthy pelvic floor supports your overall health and can even improve your sexual pleasure. In this blog, we’ll tell you all about the anatomy and provide tips!

What is pelvic floor and why is it so important?

The pelvic floor consists of a group of muscles and tissues in the lower part of the pelvis, the large bones where your legs and trunk meet. This area contains more than 30 muscle fibers connected by ligaments and other tissues. These muscles form the vaginal canal and surround important structures such as the clitoris, urethra and anus. In addition, they support our internal organs, including the bladder, uterus and intestines. Their function is enormously important: they help us control urine and feces, facilitate toilet visits and play an active role during pregnancy, childbirth and intimate moments.

What habits can be harmful to our pelvic floor? Many people are unaware of the importance of this area to their health. Sometimes we have habits that can have negative effects on our pelvic floor, such as: pressing too much during a toilet visit, lifting heavy objects without proper technique, poor sitting posture, and an inactive lifestyle. Not fully emptying your bladder can also cause stress on your pelvic floor.

The effects of a weak pelvic floor:

• Urinary incontinence: involuntary leakage of urine during coughing, laughing or exertion.
• Constipation: Difficulty defecating, which can lead to other digestive problems.
• Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids around the anus, often caused by pressure in the pelvic floor.
• Pelvic pain: Pain in the pelvic area that can vary in intensity and frequency.
• Menstrual pain: Aggravated symptoms during the menstrual cycle.
• Impact on sex life: Pain during intercourse or decreased libido.
• Heavy feeling in the vaginal area: This may indicate prolapse, where organs such as the bladder or uterus sag downward.

The impact on your menstruation and sex life

Did you know that a relaxed pelvic floor can help relieve menstrual cramps? Learning to activate and relax these muscles can reduce tension in your pelvic area, which can help with pain. Deep breathing and certain manual physical therapy techniques can support you in this process.

A strong pelvic floor can also provide more sensitivity and control during intimate moments, which can lead to more intense orgasms and a better experience. On the other hand, a weakened pelvic floor can cause discomfort or even pain during sex. For those with symptoms such as prolapse, a visit to a specialist can be valuable to find the right treatment and exercises.

Exercises for strengthening

The good news is that you don’t need elaborate exercise regimens or expensive equipment to train your pelvic floor. With just 10 minutes a day, you can already see improvement! Start by exploring your body: use a mirror to look at your pelvic area and familiarize yourself with the different parts. Self-awareness is the first step!

A visit to a pelvic floor physical therapist can help you understand what your pelvic floor needs are. Every body is unique and requires a specific approach. A professional evaluation offers insight into the state of your muscles and teaches you safe ways to strengthen them.

Through small adjustments in your daily habits and a few simple exercises, you can strengthen your pelvic floor and prevent problems.

Do you recognize symptoms mentioned in this text? If so, do not hesitate to contact a specialist. Ser Pélvica stands for high-quality care and personalized counseling to support people with pelvic pain and improve their quality of life. Through the Evie Health app, you can also connect with female physical therapists worldwide for a pelvic evaluation and expert explanations. Your body will thank you, and the benefits in your daily life make it well worth it. Do you have any questions for us? Feel free to get in touch!