For many women, the pelvic floor is a great unknown, they do not know what it is or the essential function it performs. However, it is essential for the quality of life of every woman, because if the pelvic floor is weakened, it will affect the physical and psychological well-being.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a set of muscles and ligaments that are located at the base of the pelvis and go from the pubis towards the urethra, vagina and rectum and some reach the sacrum and coccyx.
The pelvic floor is not rigid, but dynamic, that is, it adapts to our movement and to the changes of posture we make, always maintaining an adequate tension that holds our bladder, uterus and rectum within the pelvis.
What are its functions?
Its main function is to support the digestive, urinary and reproductive apparatus, since it retains the viscera of the abdomen and pelvis.
Thus, the pelvic floor is responsible for controlling urinary and anal continence. Through a process of contractions, closures and openings, which allows us to retain or evacuate the urine and fecal ball, as we deem appropriate.
This process is not innate, but we learn it little by little from the time we are born until we start to stop using the diaper.
If you would like your pelvic floor assessed, Bwell has physiotherapists who specialise in the pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum care. Learn about gynaecological physiotherapy and book your first visit.