Pelvic Floor 101: More Than Just Kegels

The term “pelvic floor” has become more common, but it’s still a source of mystery and confusion for many women. Often, the only advice given is to “do your Kegels.” While Kegels can be helpful for some, they are only a tiny piece of the puzzle and, in some cases, can even make symptoms worse.

So, what exactly is your pelvic floor? It’s a group of muscles that form a supportive sling or hammock at the base of your pelvis. These muscles have several crucial jobs:

– Support: They hold up your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and rectum).
– Sphincteric: They control the openings for your urethra and rectum, allowing you to control when you go to the bathroom.
– Sexual Function: They play a role in arousal and orgasm.
– Stability: They work with your deep abdominal muscles, back muscles, and diaphragm to stabilize your spine and pelvis.

When these muscles aren’t working correctly, it can lead to a variety of issues, known as pelvic floor dysfunction. This can mean the muscles are too weak (hypotonic) or too tight (hypertonic).

Symptoms of a weak pelvic floor can include:
– Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or exercise (stress incontinence)
– A feeling of heaviness or bulging in the vagina (pelvic organ prolapse)

Symptoms of a tight pelvic floor can include:
– Pain during intercourse
– Urgent or frequent need to urinate
– Constipation or pain with bowel movements
– Unexplained pain in the pelvis, hips, or low back

Notice that these symptoms are very different. If your pelvic floor is already too tight, doing more Kegels (a tightening exercise) can actually worsen your pain and other symptoms. This is why a comprehensive evaluation with a pelvic health physical therapist is so important. We can determine the specific nature of your dysfunction and create a personalized treatment plan, which might include relaxation techniques, targeted strengthening, manual therapy, and coordination exercises. You don’t have to live with these symptoms. Help is available!