Your pelvic floor plays a vital role in supporting your organs, bladder, bowels, and reproductive system. However, many women are unaware of the importance of this muscle group, which can lead to various issues such as painful sex, urinary leakage, constipation, and weak orgasms.
Pelvic floor physical therapist Sara Reardon emphasizes that it’s essential to understand the role of your pelvic floor muscles. “Many of us don’t know these muscles exist,” she says. “Therefore, if a problem arises, [we don’t know] how to evaluate it and get treatment for it.”
One in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime, according to research. Pelvic floor physical therapy, such as certain exercises and stretches, can be an effective way to address these issues.
Here are some key tips from Reardon:
– Relax your pelvic floor muscles when peeing, rather than straining.
– Practice deep breathing exercises and stretching to soften your pelvic floor muscles.
– Use devices for internal massage to help relax the muscles internally.
– Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel contractions and practice them in different positions.
– Stop straining during bowel movements by using a stool under your feet.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as urinary leakage, painful intercourse, or weak orgasms, it’s essential to seek professional help. You can access a pelvic floor therapist for an evaluation without a referral from a physician in every state in the United States.
When selecting a pelvic floor physical therapist, look for someone trained and qualified to do a pelvic floor muscle internal assessment. The treatment should be a combination of exercise, manual therapy, and education, with self-treatment options provided at home.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/26/nx-s1-5413369/pelvic-floor-therapy