THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE PELVIC FLOOR

What is the pelvic floor?

The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles and tissues that forms a supportive sling at the base of the pelvis. It plays a crucial role in maintaining bowel and bladder control, supporting the reproductive organs, and stabilizing the spine and pelvis during movement. Despite its importance, many people are not familiar with the pelvic floor and its functions.

Let’s break this down further…

The pelvic floor muscles play a vital role in maintaining urinary and bowel continence, supporting the pelvic organs, and stabilizing the spine and pelvis during movement. The muscles work together to create a strong and stable base for the pelvic organs to rest on, and they also help to maintain the correct position of the bladder, uterus, and rectum.

The pelvic floor muscles are also responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the urethra and anus. When the muscles are strong and functioning properly, they can help to prevent urinary and fecal incontinence, as well as sexual dysfunction.

The pelvic floor has several functions, including:

Support: The pelvic floor muscles provide support for the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum. This helps to keep the organs in place and prevents them from drooping or sagging.

Continence: The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the urethra and anus. When the muscles are strong and functioning properly, they can help to prevent urinary and fecal incontinence.

Sexual function: The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in sexual function. They help to support the vaginal walls and clitoris in women and the penis in men, and they are involved in orgasm.

Stability: The pelvic floor muscles work together with the deep abdominal and back muscles to stabilize the spine and pelvis during movement. This helps to prevent injury and maintain balance.

Lymphatic and venous drainage: The pelvic floor muscles help to facilitate lymphatic and venous drainage from the pelvic region. This is important for maintaining healthy circulation and preventing fluid buildup in the lower body.

Disorders of the Pelvic Floor

When the pelvic floor muscles become weakened, stretched, or tight, they can cause a range of disorders, including urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction.

Treatment for Pelvic Floor Disorders

The treatment for pelvic floor disorders depends on the severity and underlying cause of the problem. In some cases, pelvic floor exercises, also known as kegels, can be effective in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and improving symptoms. But kegels aren’t for everyone! Many pelvic floor issues involve chronically tight tissues, and kegels can make this worse. If you have pelvic floor concerns, please consult your OBGYN or pelvic floor physical therapist.