Pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor forms the base of the pelvis and consists of several layers of muscles. Together, these layers, the pelvic floor muscles, play an important role in urination and defecation.

What do the pelvic floor muscles do?

By contracting, the pelvic floor muscles make it possible to hold in urine and stool. Relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles enables urination and bowel movements.

Another important feature of the pelvic floor muscles is their position. They lie at the bottom of the pelvis and form a kind of hammock to support the abdominal organs. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, straining, or lifting something heavy increase intra-abdominal pressure. In these activities, proper contraction of the pelvic floor muscles is very important, not only to support the organs above but also to prevent unwanted urine leakage.

What happens if the pelvic floor muscles do not work properly?

The pelvic floor muscles usually function in the background. Only when they do not work properly do people experience symptoms. It is important that the tension in the pelvic floor muscles is just right. Overactivity means the pelvic floor muscles have too much tension. When the pelvic floor muscles contract insufficiently, this is called underactivity.

With overactivity, there is too much pressure on the bladder, increasing the urge to urinate or causing a constant urge. This also applies to the anus, increasing the urge to defecate. Another possible problem is pelvic pain or the unwanted loss of urine during pressure-increasing activities such as coughing and sneezing.

Underactivity can cause difficulty holding in urine and stool. During urination or defecation, it may be impossible to fully empty the bladder or bowels. Reduced support for the abdominal organs can lead to prolapse of these organs.

What does pelvic floor muscle training involve?

It is important to restore the correct tension in the pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic physical therapist specializes in these complaints. A commonly used technique is myofeedback, a device that measures muscle activity.

Treatment includes advice on posture and movement in daily life. Especially in the case of underactivity, targeted exercises are necessary.

When is there pelvic instability?

Pelvic instability, pelvic pain, and symphysiolysis are three terms that mean the same thing: a weakening of the pelvis. This often occurs in pregnant women or shortly after childbirth. It can also result from an accident. The symptoms may be caused by under- or overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic instability is characterized by pain in the lower back, at the front and back of the pelvis, and around the tailbone.

Here you will find exercises for pelvic instability, or contact a pelvic physical therapist near you.