Pelvic floor

What happens if the pelvic floor is weakened?
Why does it become weak?
Benefits of pelvic floor exercises
Becoming aware of your pelvic floor
How to do pelvic floor exercises

The pelvic floor is a layered sheet of muscles that stretch like a hammock from your pubic bone at the front of your pelvis to your tailbone at the back. Both men and women have a pelvic floor with its main function being the control of passing urine and opening your bowels as well as supporting the organs including a growing baby and uterus during pregnancy.

Image 1-25 shows the hammock-like muscles of pelvic floor, viewed looking down through the top of the pelvis.

Image 1-26 shows the hammock-like muscles of pelvic floor, viewed looking up from underneath the pelvis.

Image 1-27 shows the hammock-like muscles of pelvic floor, viewed looking from the side of the pelvis.

Updated November 2007

Information sources

Stables D. and Rankin J. Physiology in Childbearing with Anatomy and Related Biosciences. 2004, Bailliere Tindall, Edinburgh.

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