How is your pelvic floor?
Author: Professor Joyce Harper
Is your pelvic floor OK?
The pelvic floor is the muscular base of the abdomen, attached to the bony pelvis. It is shaped like a sling and provides support for the bladder, intestines and uterus and maintains continence.
The pelvic floor can be damaged during childbirth and in elite athletes involved in cycling, water-skiing and equestrian sports.
Damage to the pelvic floor can lead to urinary incontinence and prolapse of the vagina, bladder, rectum, or uterus – prolapse is when organs protrude into or outside of the vagina.
There are exercises you can do to help keep your pelvic floor strong.
“You can feel your pelvic floor muscles if you try to stop the flow of urine when you go to the toilet. However, it is not recommended that you regularly stop your flow of urine midstream, because it can be harmful to the bladder.
To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, sit comfortably and squeeze the muscles 10 to 15 times in a row. Do not hold your breath or tighten your stomach, buttock or thigh muscles at the same time.”
Here are four exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor.
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