Functions: Pelvic Floor

Overview

  1. The pelvic floor supports the bladder and reproductive organs (including a growing uterus in pregnancy).
  2. As a part of the core, pelvic floor muscles work in cooperation with the deep abdominal and deep back muscles to stabilize the low back.
  3. A healthy pelvic floor is associated with enhancing sexual comfort, sensation and arousal.

Specifically

Karlyn Driedger, PT, BScKIN, MScPT explains these five important functions of the pelvic floor:

  1. Sphincteric
  2. Support
  3. Stability
  4. Sexual
  5. Sump-pump

Sphincteric

  • The muscles of the pelvic floor wrap around and control the opening of the bladder and rectum.
  • They prevent leakage when there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
  • These muscles also have to relax appropriately to allow for urination and bowel movements.

Support

  • The muscles support pelvic organs against gravity and increased intra-abdominal pressure.
  • In women, excess strain on the pelvic floor (during pregnancy) or weakening of the pelvic floor (age, hormonal changes) can lead to prolapse.

Stability

  • The pelvic muscles have attachments to the pelvis and hips and are an important part of the “core.”
  • These muscles work in cooperation with hip, abdominal and back muscles to control movement of the sacroiliac and hip joints as well as stabilization of the low back.

Sexual

  • A healthy pelvic floor is associated with enhancing sexual comfort, sensation and arousal.

Sump-pump

  • The pelvic floor muscles act as a blood/lymph pump for the pelvis.
  • A loss in this action can contribute to swelling or congestion.