What IS the Pelvic Floor?
You are certainly not the first to ask this question. We wish this were taught in every health class. Your pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissue that stabilize your pelvic bones and support your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum). Think of these muscles like a hammock or trampoline. They need to be able to fully contract and fully relax to provide optimal support and allow for bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
What does the pelvic floor actually do?
A few big jobs: it supports your organs, it controls your bladder and bowel (the “hold it” and “let it go”), it plays a key role in sexual function and sensation, and it works with your deep core and diaphragm to manage pressure every time you breathe, lift, or move. It also is a primary support system for your pelvic organs & provides stability for your whole body.
When your pelvic floor is working well, you probably don’t think about it! A healthy pelvic floor looks like:
Peeing 4-7x/day and not at all overnight; fully emptying your bladder each time
Pooping somewhere between 3x/day and 3x/week, without straining
Pain-free vaginal exams and penetration
Completing all your daily activities without feeling heaviness in your vagina
Feeling free from hip, back, or pelvic pain throughout your daily activities
Controlling the urge to pee and poop without leaking
Ability to orgasm
Being able to run, jump, laugh, sneeze, and cough without leaking or feeling heaviness
What does pelvic floor dysfunction feel like?
When these muscles are too weak, too tight, or poorly coordinated, symptoms show up: leaking with a sneeze, cough, laugh, run, or lift; urinary urgency or frequency; constipation or straining; heaviness or pressure (a sign of prolapse); pain with sex, tampons, or exams; and hip, low back, or tailbone pain. Tightness causes just as many problems as weakness, which is why “just do Kegels” is often the wrong advice.
We start to think about the pelvic floor when these issues (and many more not listed) start to come up.. many of these are common throughout pregnancy and postpartum (but they can also happen to people who have never been pregnant). Why do these symptoms pop up..?
Carrying extra weight throughout pregnancy impacts the core and pelvic floor. Internal organs shift & posture and body patterns change to accommodate for the baby.
Both vaginal and cesarean birth cause organs to shift and tissues sustain trauma (stretching, tearing, or major surgery).
In everyday life, less than optimal breathing patterns, pressure control, and movement patterns can cause muscle imbalance, tension or pain
Who is at risk for pelvic floor dysfunction?
Dysfunction isn't only a pregnancy-and-postpartum story. Pregnancy and birth are common triggers, but so are high-impact sports, chronic constipation, prior surgery, stress and habitual clenching, and the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause. It's never too early or too late to get support.
EVERYONE has a pelvic floor, and everyone can experience pelvic floor dysfunction. We’re here to normalize the conversation and help you prioritize your well-being.
Read more about why you should see a pelvic floor therapist during pregnancy HERE.
FAQs
What does the pelvic floor do? It supports your pelvic organs, controls your bladder and bowel, contributes to sexual function, and helps manage pressure with your core and breath.
How do I know if I have a pelvic floor problem? Common signs include leaking, urgency, constipation, heaviness or pressure, and pain with sex or exams. An evaluation can tell you for sure.
Do I need a referral for pelvic floor therapy in Colorado? No. Colorado is a direct-access state, so you can book directly with a PT or OT.
Written by: Dr. Courtney Trocinski