The pelvic floor or floor is the set of muscles and ligaments found at the base of the pelvis. Its importance is such that it crosses numerous physiological functions. Therefore, preventing its dysfunction, or treating it when it is already a fact, is essential.
“Almost everything we do in our lives can end up having an impact on the pelvic floor,” says kinesiologist Marcela Polonsky, a specialist in the rehabilitation of this muscle.
A sensitive area for women… and men
A surgeon examines a pelvis with signs of being affected by osteoporosis.
“All people have a pelvic floor, whether we have a penis or a vulva. It accompanies us throughout our lives and we use it to hold the pee and poop, exercise, have sex or reach orgasm. Among those of us who menstruate, it allows us to use the cup and tampon without them slipping out”, added Juliana Saccoccia, also a specialist kinesiologist.
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Problems of this type have nothing to do with the passage of time, one of the main myths in this regard. “No matter how old you are, we can all have pelvic floor dysfunction. Its care is important because it influences the functionality of the pelvic organs and the sexual function itself,” said sexologist Carla Galiano.
Issues affecting the pelvic floor
What situations affect the pelvic floor? Saccoccia and Polonsky mentioned that there are multiple factors that can lead to a dysfunction of this type. Among them, they highlighted the impact sport; daily efforts like lifting bags or boys or girls; Do household or work tasks that involve force.
Impact sports or any work activity that involves carrying weight affect the pelvic floor.
Sitting all day can also be harmful, as well as the need or habit to “force” when urinating or defecating. Other factors are chronic cough, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy and vaginal delivery.
“Speaking of habits, it is also bad for the functioning of the pelvic floor to go to the bathroom every so often to pee (go just in case), but also to endure too much. The ideal is to wait between 2 and 4 hours between one urination and the next,” explained Polonsky.
Symptoms to watch out for
A female gynecologist holding prepares to diagnose a pelvic problem.
Some of the most frequent alterations, according to the kinesiologists, are urinary incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the genital area, pain when filling the bladder (interstitial cystitis), the increase in the frequency in which we pee
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Also constipation, fecal incontinence, low back pain, coccyx pain, pubic pain, pelvic pain and painful periods.
Sex toys, treatment allies
“When we work in the session, according to the evaluation, we apply different tools. However, many can be found in the sex shop and are usually identified as sex toys,” Saccoccia said.
1. Chinese balls
Polonsky mentioned that these are used in the later stages of rehabilitation, when there is weakness (for example, in cases of incontinence or prolapse). They are used progressively and always in motion to help keep the pelvic floor active. “By vibrating inside the vagina, they generate a response in our muscles,” said the specialist. However, she clarified that if there is too much weakness or tension, its use can be counterproductive.
2. Dildos
Frequently used in therapy, they help to elongate the muscles and desensitize the area. “In these cases we gradually increase the size of the dildo (it is widely used in all dysfunctions that have to do with pain),” Saccoccia mentioned.
3. Vibrators
The kinesiologists defined them as “great allies”. It is used as if it were a massager, to work on different points of tension and loosen them. In addition, the vibration helps to relax the muscles or activate them.
4. Pelvic floor trainers
Galiano, LELO Argentina’s sex coach, stated that they work on strength and tone at the same time, thanks to their vibrations that indirectly activate the pelvic floor.
Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor
“The pelvic floor is a muscular and ligamentous structure, but for the most part it is made up of ligaments rather than muscles. Therefore, in addition to the specific exercises we have to add a good quality of life, good nutrition, hydration, stress reduction and a good rest”, Galiano clarified.
For their part, the kinesiologists added that “the famous Kegel exercises are used and also hypopressive exercises, but all within a therapeutic framework.” “The idea is to evaluate the muscles of each patient and, based on what he needs, indicate contraction and relaxation,” they concluded.
Like other parts of the body, the pelvic floor can be exercised.
Goodbye to prejudices
What is the reaction of those who have to undergo treatment and use sex toys suggested by specialists? “There are a lot of prejudices and taboos to access the consultations, not to mention when we recommend that they get a dildo or a vibrator,” Polonsky said.
