Are you trying to conceive without success? The cause may be related to hormones, ovulation, the condition of the reproductive organs, or sperm quality. If pregnancy does not occur over a longer period, the first step should be a gynecological examination, which can help identify a possible cause.
Pelvic floor health should not be overlooked when caring for women’s health. Proper pelvic floor function can affect sexual health and comfort during intercourse and may be associated with pelvic pain. If these difficulties occur alongside problems conceiving, physiotherapy may be a suitable addition to care.
The pelvic floor
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles located in the lower part of the pelvis. It supports the pelvic organs and helps the bladder, bowel, and sexual functions work properly.
The pelvic floor is also part of the body’s deep stabilization system (DSS), a system of deep muscles that helps distribute the body’s center of gravity correctly. In addition to the pelvic floor muscles below, the DSS includes the transverse abdominal muscles at the front, deep back muscles at the rear, and the diaphragm above.
It is not enough for these muscles simply to be strong. They should also be able to relax and engage correctly. A weak pelvic floor is not the only possible problem. In some women, it may instead be overly tense, which can cause pain, discomfort during intercourse, and other difficulties. Proper pelvic floor function therefore has an important place in comprehensive women’s health care.
How is the pelvic floor related to fertility?
The pelvic floor is not a direct cause of most cases of infertility. However, if it is overly tense and causes pain during intercourse, it may indirectly make natural conception more difficult.
When can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy can focus on examining the pelvic floor and how it functions. A physiotherapist will assess whether the muscles are too weak or tense and whether a woman can engage and relax them correctly. Therapy may include work with breathing, muscle relaxation, movement, and proper pelvic floor coordination.
The goal is not only to strengthen the pelvic floor but to teach it to work properly.
5 simple exercises to support proper pelvic floor function
The pelvic floor needs not only to be strengthened but also to relax properly. Before exercising, it is therefore helpful to know the condition of your pelvic floor. If you have pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or a feeling of increased tension, it is best to discuss suitable exercises with a physiotherapist.
- Pelvic floor relaxation
Lie on your back and use your hands to draw your knees toward your abdomen and out to the sides. Press your lower back into the mat and consciously relax your pelvic floor muscles. - Weight shifting on all fours
Get onto all fours. Place a ball or cushion on your calves. Then lower your buttocks toward your heels and return to the position on all fours. - Relaxing and then strengthening the pelvic floor while sitting on your heels
Kneel down and place a soft ball or cushion beneath your buttocks. As you inhale, sit back on your heels; as you exhale, rise back up onto your knees. The pelvic floor relaxes as you inhale and activates as you exhale. - Cycling while lying on your back
Lie on your back. Keep one leg bent with the foot resting on the floor while the other leg makes a cycling motion in the air. Switch legs. For a more challenging version, cycle with both legs at the same time. Take care not to overload your lower back, which should remain supported by the mat throughout. - Pelvic floor activation
You can do this exercise in any position – standing, sitting, or lying down. Imagine that you are trying to stop the flow of urine. Gently contract the pelvic floor muscles, hold briefly, and then release them completely. It is important not to over-engage the abdominal or gluteal muscles.
The pelvic floor does not need to be strengthened constantly. If you have pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or a feeling of significant tension, it is best to discuss suitable exercise with a physiotherapist first.
When should you see a physiotherapist?
It is advisable to see a physiotherapist particularly if you experience difficulties related to the pelvic floor, such as:
- pain in the pelvis or lower back,
- painful intercourse,
- urinary leakage,
- a feeling of tension or pressure in the pelvic floor,
- difficulty with bowel movements,
- difficulties after childbirth or a gynecological procedure,
- or uncertainty about whether you are engaging and relaxing your pelvic floor correctly.
Physiotherapy does not replace a gynecological examination or treatment of the cause of infertility. It may, however, be a suitable complement to them and help improve pelvic floor function and a woman’s overall comfort.
Gynecology Clinic at Polyclinic Púpava
- MUDr. Jana Štefániková
- MUDr. Olena Mozenbakh
Find out more on the Gynecology Clinic page.
Physiatry and Rehabilitation Clinic at Polyclinic Púpava
Find out more on the Physiatry and Rehabilitation Clinic page.
