Pelvic Floor Health and Sexual Wellbeing

Warm greetings, readers! In our previous issue, we navigated ways to foster a strong and resilient pelvic floor. As promised, today we address a subject often tiptoed around but undeniably significant: the link between pelvic floor health and sexual wellbeing.

Your Pelvic Floor: A Bedrock of Sensual Health

The pelvic floor, beyond its roles in supporting organs and ensuring urinary and faecal continence, plays a pivotal role in sexual function. Its health directly affects arousal, pleasure, and even pain during intimate moments.

Impacts on Sexual Wellbeing

1. Enhanced Sensation: A robust pelvic floor can augment sensation during intimate encounters, leading to more fulfilling experiences.
2. Painful Intercourse: A weakened or hyper-toned pelvic floor might lead to discomfort or pain during intimacy, especially in women. This condition, known as dyspareunia, can severely affect the quality of life.
3. Erectile Function: In men, a functional pelvic floor aids in achieving and maintaining erections due to its role in blood flow regulation.
4. Orgasmic Function: Both men and women rely on coordinated pelvic floor muscle contractions during orgasm. Consequently, its strength and coordination can impact orgasmic quality and intensity.

Solutions and Approaches

1. Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: Just as physiotherapy can aid in treating incontinence or prolapse, it can also assist in managing sexual dysfunctions related to pelvic floor anomalies.
2. Relaxation Techniques: For some, especially those experiencing pelvic pain, learning to relax the pelvic floor muscles can be as crucial as strengthening them.
3. Open Communication: Discussing any concerns or discomforts with a partner can lead to more understanding and supportive intimate moments.
4. Consult Professionals: If you experience persistent issues, it might be helpful to seek guidance from a sexual health therapist or a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic health.

On the Horizon

Next week, we’re zooming in on the intertwining realms of women's health and physiotherapy. Whether it's pelvic health, postpartum recovery, or osteoporosis prevention, our upcoming issue will spotlight the specialized physiotherapeutic interventions tailored for women. A holistic health approach awaits, filled with actionable tips and expert insights.

See you next week,

Lavinia Chew,

Physiotherapist (Sports & Women's Health)