Basic Information About the Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is still somewhat of a taboo topic that simply isn’t discussed much. Even when people do talk about the female genital area, it’s usually only from a sexual perspective. However, the pelvic floor also has other very important functions that are completely overlooked.

It is important to realize that the pelvic floor consists of three layers of muscles that close off the pelvis from below and connect to the sphincters. The deep layers serve a supportive function, preventing the abdominal organs—along with the baby during pregnancy—from “falling out.”

The pelvic floor also plays a role in the breathing process itself. When you inhale, the diaphragm moves downward, compressing and “massaging” the contents of the abdominal cavity, causing the pelvic floor to descend. When you exhale, the diaphragm rises, and the pelvic floor also naturally lifts slightly. The deep layers of the pelvic floor are part of the deep stabilizing system (core system). They serve both a supportive and stabilizing function. In addition to these functions, the pelvic floor also has sphincter and dilation functions, which allow the “floor” to relax and subsequently empty. Its sexual and reproductive functions go without saying.

The pelvic floor is elastic. It stretches and functions similarly to a trampoline. Just as a trampoline can be “worn out” from jumping, the pelvic floor can also be “damaged.”

When the pelvic floor is overloaded for a long time—for example, due to competitive sports—it simply becomes exhausted and stops functioning properly. It becomes unable to perform its job. The same situation can occur in the later stages of pregnancy. The growing baby in the uterus puts pressure on the pelvic floor muscles and the bladder. If the sphincter muscles are already fatigued from the constant pressure, they will relax. A similar situation can occur immediately after childbirth. During natural childbirth, temporary denervation—damage to the innervation of the pelvic floor—may occur. In such cases, the woman temporarily loses sensation in her pelvic floor and therefore cannot control it. I’ve mentioned just a few situations in which the pelvic floor stops functioning properly and a problem may arise.

A common symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction is incontinence. This is a condition in which urine or stool leaks involuntarily. It is a very intimate problem that poses a huge challenge for both women and men.

However, I have two pieces of good news for you:

1. Almost every woman experiences a pelvic floor problem at some point in her life. One woman has trouble with urinary incontinence only after running 10 km, another when jumping on a trampoline with her children, a third when she sneezes, a fourth experiences pain during sexual intercourse, and a fifth has such a strong urge to urinate that she simply can’t hold it in… Since this affects almost all of us, we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it and seek professional help.

2. In most cases, the pelvic floor can be “trained” to function properly through the right rehabilitation program. This is very good news—all it requires is your time, effort, an accurate diagnosis, and regular exercise.

The pelvic floor is a wonderful area to work on in physical therapy. The “floor” is made up of muscles, and we know very well that muscles can work wonders. At the beginning, the most important thing is to become aware of your pelvic floor and to feel it. Only then can we work on it in a targeted way. It’s not always an instant miracle, but with regular and proper activation or relaxation, you can get your “floor” into top shape.