Most of us, at one point or another, have heard someone talking about pelvic floor muscles or Kegels. However, not all of us have paid attention to it, nor really know where these muscles are located and what their purpose is.
Your pelvic floor muscles are located, as the name suggests, in your pelvis. They stretch from the front of your pubic bone to your tailbone. These muscles support a woman’s bladder, uterus, bowel, urethra (urine tube), vagina, and even the anus. It is important to note that these muscles are present in both men and women and should be equally trained by both genders.
As you can probably gather by now, it’s a pretty important group of muscles and the stronger they are, the more control you have over your bladder, bowels, and sexual functions. With nearly 24% of women in the United States affected by one or more pelvic floor disorders, it’s important to know more about this group of muscles.
Common Reasons for a Weakening in the Pelvic Floor Muscles
The most common cause for weak pelvic floor muscles is childbirth, as your muscles expand and it can be difficult to get them back into shape. Additionally, they naturally weaken with age, as do most muscles, in both men and women.
However, there are other reasons to keep in mind that can cause weakening in the pelvic floor muscles:
-
Constipation
-
Heavy lifting
-
Long-term coughing
-
Being overweight
-
Not staying active
-
Prostate gland surgery (for men)
Are you Experiencing any Leakage or Pain?
Contact one of our providers and make an appointment if you are having any issues with your bladder, bowels, or if you are experiencing any abnormal pain during intercourse. For more information on how to train your pelvic floor muscles, schedule an appointment today.