How well do you know your pelvic floor?

What do you know about your pelvic floor?

Take the quiz below and check your answers below.

True or false:

  1. To exercise the pelvic floor, you should stop your wee midstream
  2. Men and women need strong and functional pelvic floors
  3. Everyone knows how to isolate and exercise the pelvic floor – it’s easy.
  4. Your pelvic floor can never be too strong – work it baby!
  5. My pelvic floor will never be the same after I’ve had a baby.
  6. A strong and functional pelvic floor can improve sex
  7. Pelvic floor exercises are only for woman who have had babies
  8. Pilates is a good way to help strengthen the pelvic floor

Answers:

1. False – To exercise the pelvic floor, you should stop your wee midstream
This isn’t a good way to exercise the pelvic floor. It can cause urinary tract infections and sends mixed messages to the bladder.

2. True – Men and women need strong and functional pelvic floors
A strong pelvic floor helps with incontinence, sexual function and core stability.
3. False – Everyone knows how to isolate and exercise the pelvic floor – it’s easy.
Sometimes isolating the pelvic floor can be a bit tricky and frequently people engage their butt, tummy or inner thighs instead or as well as their pelvic floor.
4. False – Your pelvic floor can never be too strong – work it baby!
It is possible to have a pelvic floor that is too tight. Knowing how to release the pelvic floor is as important as knowing how to engage and strengthen it.
5. False – My pelvic floor will never be the same after I’ve had a baby.
In most cases, you can retrain your pelvic floor. If you find it difficult to contract or relax your pelvic floor, you may wish to see a women’s health physio who can help you find your pelvic floor.
6. True – A strong and functional pelvic floor can improve sex
For women, the vaginal walls are layered with the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor exercises tone and strengthen these muscles, improving blood supply and nerve activity, all leading to greater pleasure.
7. False – Pelvic floor exercises are only for woman who have had babies
Maintaining a strong pelvic floor is important regardless of age or gender. There are a number of risk factors that can weaken the pelvic floor including pregnancy, gynaecological surgery, obesity, urinary tract infections, constipation, prolonged coughing, high impact exercise and lifting heavy objects.
8. True – Pilates is a good way to help strengthen the pelvic floor
A good Pilates instructor can help you build a strong and functional pelvic floor. They should start with teaching you the foundations – how to engage the pelvic floor and activate the deep core muscles.

How many did you get right?

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