Pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic floor muscles are the muscles at the bottom of the belly. Both men and women have pelvic floor muscles.
Pelvic floor muscles have 3 functions:
- They keep the bladder, bowel (women and men) and uterus (women) in the right place.
- They prevent urine and faeces from leaving the body unintentionally.
- They are important for sexual pleasure and sexual wellbeing.
Pelvic floor muscles can be easily trained.
Women
If a woman is anxious or tense, she can unwillingly contract the pelvic floor muscles during sexual intercourse. The vagina can become too tight and penetration becomes difficult or impossible. Try to find out what is causing the muscles to contract. Talking about it with your partner can help.
If a woman contracts her pelvic floor muscles during orgasm, she can increase the pleasure she feels.
During pregnancy, the woman’s pelvic floor muscles stretch. After delivery, the muscles need exercise to recover. Ask a health professional for advice.
Woman standing. The focus is on the pelvis.
Detail of the female pelvis: 1. pelvic floor muscles supporting 2. bladder, 3. bowel and 4. uterus.
Men
Pelvic floor muscles help a man to get and keep an erection.
Man standing. The focus is on the pelvis.
Detail of the male pelvis: 1. pelvic floor muscles supporting 2. bladder and 3. bowel.