What Is My Pelvic Floor?

Pelvic floor. If this is the first time you have heard this phrase or if you just never got to figuring out what it means, you are not alone. This phrase is often mentioned in health and fitness circles—especially when talking about pregnancy or bladder control—but many people are not exactly sure what it does, let alone how it affects their daily lives. So, let’s break it down.

The Basics: What Is the Pelvic Floor?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that form a hammock-like structure at the bottom of your pelvis. These muscles stretch from the tailbone (coccyx) at the back to the pubic bone at the front, and side to side between your sitting bones. Think about it as the muscles between your thighs.

What Does the Pelvic Floor Do?

Think of it as a support for your internal organs. It holds up everything including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum in order to help them function properly. Let’s dive into its many roles.

Support: It keeps your pelvic organs (like your bladder and uterus or prostate) in the right place.

Control: It helps control your bladder and bowel movements, so it is critical for continence, or the control of your pee and poop.

Stability: It works together with your deep abdominal and back muscles to stabilize your core, making it essential for balance.

Sexual Function: These muscles contribute to sexual sensation and function. 

Birthing: In women, a strong but flexible pelvic floor is crucial for supporting pregnancy and allowing childbirth.

What Can Go Wrong?

Like any other muscle, the pelvic floor can become weak, stiff, or imbalanced. This can lead to different problems. Some signs your pelvic floor may need attention include:

• Leaking urine or stool
• Trouble fully emptying your bladder or bowel
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Painful intercourse

If you experience any of these, you are not alone, and it is not something you just have to live with.

What Can I Do About It?

The good news is, pelvic floor issues are treatable. With a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor health, you can again enjoy a leak-free, pain-free life. Your physical therapist will help you understand your pelvic floor condition and help you become more in tune with the muscles, allowing you to better control them. They will also help you strengthen or relax the area, depending on your needs.

It is natural to have anxieties about problems in this area, but your physical therapist will ensure you are comfortable during the session. While some conditions would benefit from an exam with more exposure, there is still a lot that can be done fully clothed with good communication and respect for your privacy. See how physical therapy can improve your pelvic floor function, and reach out for physical therapy services to find relief.

References

1. Grimes WR, Stratton M. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; June 26, 2023.
2. Wallace SL, Miller LD, Mishra K. Pelvic floor physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in women. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;31(6):485-493. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000584