PELVIC FLOOR ENCYCLOPEDIA

First let's answer the question, what precisely makes up the pelvic floor? Try imagining it as a sling or a hammock made up of muscles and connective tissue that hold your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs in place. Its responsibilities include pelvic girdle stability, continence...

While men may not have as many organs to hold up, they certainly have a pelvic floor. In men, the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments are responsible for keeping the bladder, bowel, and prostate in place. While pelvic organ prolapse is not so common in men, up to 16% of men may suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction. Luckily, pelvic floor physical therapy...

Just as it sounds, the pelvic floor acts as the “floor” of the pelvic area. It extends from the pubic bone in the front to the tailbone in the back. It is made up of several muscles as well as connective tissues that act to support the functions of the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems. Together, the muscles form a diaphragm or “sling” beneath the pelvis...

Pregnancy is a time of so much change in a woman’s life and body! As well as thinking about all of the new demands needed to nourish your growing baby, caring for and preparing your body for delivery is an important aspect of pregnancy. As your baby and belly are growing, your pelvic floor is changing, too...

Can the pelvic floor be too tight? In one word - Yes! Pelvic floor muscles, like any muscle in the body, can become “tight” or overactive due to stress, overuse and other factors. This can lead to pain and other symptoms, just like pelvic floor weakness can! You may hear pelvic floor overactivity referred to as having a “hypertonic”, “tight” or “dyssynergic” pelvic floor...

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy have an effect on all the tissues in your body, including muscles and ligaments. This means that the muscles and connective tissues that need to work well for good pelvic floor function are affected, and can become more relaxed. This is a normal and important change during pregnancy, as it acts to eventually allow...

The pelvic floor is the muscular sling that supports the major pelvic organs (including the bladder, bowel, vagina, and uterus) and maintains the everyday functioning of the bladder and bowel. It has two primary functions: sphincter control and pelvic organ support...