How much do you know about your Pelvic Floor?

By Susie Black - get free updates of new articles here

Just to show you that we're not afraid of getting to the bottom of things...

What are they? They're the range of muscles supporting the very base of your pelvis Where are they? They run across the lowest part of the pelvic bowl

What do they do? Pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and bowel in men, and the bladder, bowel and uterus in women. They also help maintain bladder and bowel control and play an important role in sexual sensation and function. Click for a VIDEO REPRESENTATION of the female pelvic floor Click for a VIDEO REPRESENTATION of the male pelvic floor

How do I activate them? You can engage the pelvic floor muscles by trying to stop the flow of urine or by pretending to hold in wind (picture avoiding a fart in a lift!). CLICK HERE for a short video about how to exercise your pelvic floor. Why do we need them? The pelvic floor muscles work with your deep abdominal (tummy) and deep back muscles and diaphragm to stabilise and support your spine. They also help control the pressure inside your abdomen to deal with the pushing down force when you lift or strain – such as during exercise.