Pelvic Floor: Power of the Invisible Muscle

Let’s face it, women’s health is complicated.

Key Points:

Talk to a woman about her health and she’ll likely express some frustrations.

Many of the issues women silently endure are linked to the health of her pelvic floor – the powerful muscle that specialised women’s health physiotherapist Lyz Evans believes is foundational for a woman’s physical well-being.

“When we talk about pelvic health, we’re really talking about… all of those organs, all of the ligaments, the viscera around it,” Lyz told She Wasn’t Born Yesterday.

“I think the pelvic floor is the third most important muscle in the body, second to the heart and the diaphragm, which keeps us alive.”

Unfortunately, the pelvic floor is often misunderstood and largely ignored, until it demands attention.

“The pelvic floor is the third most important muscle in the body, second to the heart and the diaphragm.”

“We’re talking about the pelvic area, and the pelvis is really… it’s the sacred part of the body that has a lot of women’s emotions stored there,” she said and explained that while pelvic floor exercises such as Kegel are important, they’re not the only solution.

“There’s so much more to [pelvic health] than pelvic floor exercises,” Lyz said.

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“Equally, there’s a lot of people that come in to see me that I actually get them to stop doing their pelvic floor exercises because it’s actually making their condition worse.”

Understanding the broader scope of pelvic therapy allows for tailored treatments that help rather than hinder.

When it comes to pelvic floor health, a personalised approach is vital.

Recognising and addressing pelvic floor dysfunction

Symptoms may include urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control during physical activities.

More subtle signs such as difficulties when urinating, heaviness in the vaginal area and wind control issues can also point to possible pelvic floor dysfunction.

Left untreated, pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to a decline in quality of life, interfering with day-to-day activities and personal hygiene.

When it comes to pelvic floor health, a personalised approach is vital.

“It’s never too late to build muscle and add back into that bank,” Lyz said, explaining that the approach must be individual for each woman.

“Every single person’s pelvic floor that walks in my door is attached to a body and attached to a history and attached to a story and has a different goal,” she said, encouraging women to see a specialised women’s health physiotherapist if they’re concerned.

Proactive pelvic floor care

Proactively managing pelvic health can mean the difference between a minor, manageable issue and a significant hindrance, Lyz explains.

But beyond immediate functionality, there are broader health implications.

Pelvic health is closely linked to sexual health, with a healthy pelvic floor contributing to better arousal, sensation, and even orgasms.

“In the childbearing years… we’ve got really great research that if you can do your pelvic floor exercises in that time, it really sets you up,” she said.

While childbearing can lead to pelvic floor issues, that is not always the case.

“If girls got a better understanding of their pelvic floor at that young age, it would really help them,” Lyz said, encouraging early education for laying a foundation of lifelong health for women.

“Women’s bodies have to go through so much in their lifetime,” Lyz said.

“They are truly unique, and women’s bodies aren’t just little men. They are very, very different.”

Listen to this episode of She Wasn’t Born Yesterday on the Hope 103.2 app, in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro