The pelvic floor muscles span the bottom of the pelvis and support the pelvic organs (bladder and bowel, and uterus or womb in women). When the pelvic floor muscles are weakened, they can create problems with bladder and bowel control.
ABOUT THE FEMALE PELVIC FLOOR
What are the pelvic floor muscles?
What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
How can I strengthen my pelvic floor muscles?
What are the pelvic floor muscles?
The pelvic floor muscles give you the ability to control the release of urine (wee), faeces (poo) and flatus (wind), and to delay emptying until it is convenient.
When you contract the pelvic floor muscles, they lift the internal organs of the pelvis and tighten the openings of the vagina, anus, and urethra. Relaxing the pelvic floor allows passage of urine and faeces.
This function is especially important if your urethral or anal sphincter muscles do not work normally, which may be the case after giving birth or after prostate surgery.
Pelvic floor muscles are also important for sexual function in both men and women. In men, they are important for erectile function and ejaculation. In women, voluntary contractions or squeezing of the pelvic floor contribute to sexual sensation and arousal.
The pelvic floor muscles in women also provide support for the baby during pregnancy and need to be relaxed during the birthing process.
Anatomy of the pelvis
The pelvic floor muscles form the base of the group of muscles commonly called the ‘core’. These muscles work with the deep abdominal (tummy) and back muscles and the diaphragm (breathing muscle) to support the spine and control the pressure inside the abdomen.
The floor of the pelvis is made up of layers of muscle and other tissue. These layers stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone at the front to the coccyx (tailbone) at the back, and from one ischeal tuberosity (sitting bone) to the other (side to side). The pelvic floor muscles are normally firm and
Pelvic floor muscles in men and women
A man’s pelvic floor muscles support his bladder and bowel. The urethra (urine tube) and the anus (back passage) all pass through the pelvic floor muscles.
Learn more about the pelvic floor in men
A woman’s pelvic floor muscles support the bladder, bowel, and uterus (womb). The urethra (urine tube), anus (back passage) and vagina all pass through the pelvic floor muscles.
Learn more about the pelvic floor in women
The pelvic floor muscles normally wrap quite firmly around these passages to help keep them shut. Your pelvic floor muscles help you to control your bladder and bowel and assist with sexual function. It is important to keep pelvic floor muscles strong.
WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION?
Pelvic floor muscles too tight
How can I strengthen my pelvic floor muscles?
Like any muscle in the body, pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened and trained with regular, targeted exercise.
In almost all cases it is possible to gain control over the pelvic floor muscles and train them to do their job well.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can help with:
- improving bladder and bowel control
- reducing the risk of prolapse (in women)
- improving recovery after childbirth and surgery (in women)
- improving recovery after prostate surgery (in men)
- increased sexual sensation
- increased social confidence and quality of life.
The first thing you need to do is find out which muscles you need to train. It is very important to correctly identify your pelvic floor muscles before moving into a regular pelvic floor muscle exercise program. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help with this and ensure you are engaging these muscles correctly.
HOW TO DO PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE EXERCISES
Finding the pelvic floor muscles can be difficult and it does take practice to squeeze the right muscles in the right way. If you don't feel a distinct 'squeeze and lift' of your pelvic floor muscles, ask for help from a Nurse Continence Specialist or a Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.
More about pelvic floor muscle training for men
More about pelvic floor muscle training for women
Where can i find out more or get help?
If there is a problem with bladder or bowel control, it is important to be properly assessed as weak pelvic floor muscles are just one of the many causes of incontinence.
You can search for a list of women's, men's and pelvic health physiotherapists on the Australian Physiotherapy Association website and on our service directory.
You can also contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66. The National Continence Helpline is staffed by Nurse Continence Specialists who offer free and confidential information, advice and support. They also provide a wide range of continence-related resources and referrals to local services.
SEEK HELP
The exercises described above are only a guide and may not help if done incorrectly or if the training is not suitable. Talk to your doctor, a Men's, Women's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, or contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for further advice.
You can search for a list of women's, men's and pelvic health physiotherapists on the Australian Physiotherapy Association website and on our service provider directory.
SEEK HELP
The exercises described above are only a guide and may not help if done incorrectly or if the training is inappropriate. Talk to your doctor, a Men's, Women's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, or contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for further advice.
You can search for a list of women's, men's and pelvic health physiotherapists on the Australian Physiotherapy Association website and on our service provi