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You may have heard the term pelvic floor thrown around, but like many, you may have no idea where it is or what it does. One can guess that the pelvic floor is located somewhere near the pelvis and hip. The pelvic floor is much more than just that.
The pelvic floor is the term used to describe the muscles, nerves and connective tissue that attach to your pelvis. Even more specifically, the muscles and connective tissue that attach to the bones located at the bottom of the pelvis.
In both men and women, the pelvic floor includes the bladder, urethra, rectum, and the intestines. In women, their pelvic floor will include the uterus, cervix, and the vagina.
The pelvic floor serves many purposes, which is why it is so important to make sure yours is healthy. The muscles located in the pelvic floor help stabilize your hips and core and are essential for walking and standing. If you have ever had to stop urinating while already midstream, you will feel some muscles contract and those are your pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor is also essential for women’s sexual health. The pelvic floor muscles help with arousal and even orgasm.
Now, you may be asking yourself, “So I have a pelvic floor, why should I care about it?” Well, it is very important to maintain a strong and healthy pelvic floor. If your pelvic floor muscles malfunction or are weak, they can no longer fully support the pelvic organs. This can cause pelvic floor disorders which can result in:
● Urinary incontinence
● Frequent urination
● Painful urination
● Lower back pain
● Urinary leakage
● Constipation
● Painful sexual intercourse
● Muscle spasms
Now that we have established what can happen if you do not maintain a healthy and strong pelvic floor, you are probably wondering “how do I strengthen my pelvic floor?”
Fortunately, there are many ways to strengthen your pelvic floor. You may want to consult with a Physical Therapist or a personal trainer first. Some exercises that have been found to be helpful for strengthening the pelvic floor are:
● Kegels
● Yoga (specifically the Happy Baby pose)
● Toe Taps
● Heel slides
Keeping a healthy pelvic floor is a good step on the path to healthy living. If you are struggling with pelvic floor pain or disorders, please consult a medical professional.