What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that line the bowl of the pelvis. The pelvic floor assists in bowel and bladder control, sexual function, supporting the pelvic organs, and stabilizing the pelvis and lumbar spine. It’s one of the key muscle groups that makes up our “core.” These muscles also help with sphincteric control and sexual function.
When the pelvic floor muscles are tight, you might experience symptoms like:
Pain within the pelvis
Difficulty emptying the bowels, bladder, or both
Pain during sex or inability to tolerate intercourse
Marked pain during a gynecological exam
Abdominal pain
Other symptoms
When the pelvic floor muscles are weak, you might experience symptoms like:
Urinary or fecal incontinence or leakage
Involuntary passing of gas
Low back pain
Pelvic girdle pain
Other symptoms
Pregnancy causes numerous changes to the pelvic floor, which also undergoes significant stress during delivery – even with cesarean sections. These muscles inevitably need a little TLC after you give birth.