- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises can be useful for many women experiencing a range of conditions. They are useful for those experiencing any degree of vaginal or uterine prolapse, women experiencing incontinence or even women experiencing less sensitivity during sexual intercourse as a result of childbirth. These exercise involve toning and tightening the muscles in the pelvis that hold internal organs in place, and control urination.
Many women will perform these exercises, sometimes called Kegel exercises, simply as part of their daily routine. They are recommended to all women, and can help improve sexual experience and satisfaction. The gratification of sexual intercourse can be significantly increased after gaining control of these muscles that affect the vagina. But for some women these pelvic floor exercises are necessary.
The muscles that are targeted by these exercises are found in the abdomen, around the vagina and the anus. They can be located by imagining one is preventing the flow of urine or the passing of gas. The muscles that would tighten during these processes are the muscles that are affected by pelvic floor exercises.
These muscles can be weakened as a result of childbirth, or many other conditions. They tighten to allow a woman to have more control during intercourse and to control urination and defecation. When there is a problem with the pelvic floor muscles, a woman may lose control of these bodily functions resulting in incontinence, and the condition may possibly lead to more serious conditions.
One of the most serious outcomes of weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles is vaginal or uterine prolapse. These muscles hold the uterus, bladder and vagina in their place. If they are weakened, these organs can shift to the point of protruding entirely from the vagina. There are a number of stages involved in uterine and vaginal prolapse, each describing the severity of the condition. First stage prolapse simply involve a slight shift of the organs, and the final stages of the condition can involve the organs becoming completely visible outside of the vagina. Women experiencing more severe cases of vaginal or uterine prolapse must undergo surgery or similar treatments, but those experiencing minor symptoms can often prevent further development by performing pelvic floor exercises.
It is important for women experiencing any of the aforementioned to seek advice on how best to perform these exercises to alleviate their symptoms and to prevent further complications that can be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles.