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2. PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE
The "FLOOR" of your pelvis is made up of layers of muscles that
support the bowel, bladder, urethra and uterus. These muscles are
like a hammock, or the bottom and sides of a bowl, in shape. They
run from pubic bone in the front to the end of the spinal column (or
tail bone) in the back.
The pelvic floor muscles:
•
assist in supporting the abdominal and pelvic organs
•
work with the abdominal and back muscles to stabilise and
support the spine
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•
in women also
- provide support for the baby during pregnancy and
- assist in the birthing process
Pelvic floor muscles are also important for sexual function in both
men and women:
•
in men, it is important for erectile function and ejaculation.
•
in women, voluntary contractions (squeezing) of the pelvic floor
contribute to sexual sensation and arousal.
However pelvic floor muscles may become weak. If your pelvic floor
muscles become stretched or weakened, your pelvic organs may no
longer be fully supported and you may lose control of your bladder
or bowel movements.
For some women, the pelvic floor muscles can also become too
tight. This condition is less common, but it can lead to pelvic pain
and make it difficult for you to empty your bladder or bowel
completely.
Common signs that can indicate a pelvic floor problem include:
•
accidentally leaking urine when you exercise, laugh, cough or
sneeze
•
needing to get to the toilet in a hurry or not making it there in time
•
constantly needing to go to the toilet
•
finding it difficult to empty the bladder or bowel
•
accidentally losing control of the bladder or bowel
•
accidentally passing wind
•
pain in your pelvic area
•
painful sex, or
•
a prolapse
- in women, this may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a
feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging or dropping. This
occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel or
uterus)
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