The Nomination for Best Supporting Role Goes to…
The extensive roles of the pelvic floor!
The pelvic floor is like a character actor that shows up in every movie, never plays the lead, but always makes a good movie a great film. If the heart or brain is the leading lady/man, the pelvic floor should be up for best supporting role. There’s A LOT in there-bones, ligaments, organs, nerves, fascia, muscles- and it is central to multiple important body functions. As a quick review, the pelvic floor is a series of muscles weaved and bound into 3 layers located at the bottom of the pelvis, which is made of 3 bones that form the shape of a bowl. For more about what the pelvic floor is, check out My Pelvic What: Meet your Pelvic Floor
The work of the pelvic floor effects functions well beyond the urogenital system, so without further adieu, I present the many roles of the pelvic floor (PF)…
Elimination
Support the organs
Stability during impact
Sexual health
Elimination
The most well-known role is it’s job in elimination. It should keep you continent and allow you to empty completely. The muscles that make up the urethra sphincter are PF muscles. Imagine the sphincter as a clamp in the sink. When tightened, such as while coughing, running, laughing, sneezing, etc there should be no leakage. When the clamp is relaxed, it should allow you to eliminate with ease. It should contract when you’re not trying to go, and it should release fully without effort.
Support
The pelvis contains the bladder, rectum, small bowel, and for women, the vagina and uterus. Around each of these organs is connective tissue, called fascia. The pelvic floor and the fascia keep these organs in its proper placement in the body. Also, the pelvic floor plays a role in supporting the structures of the abdomen and trunk located above it.
Stability
The pelvis is the base of the spinal cord. It holds the weight of the spine, skull, and structures on top of it, and attaches the legs to the rest of the body. The pelvic floor provides stability and shock absorption from the impact of everyday movement and activity.
Sexual Health and Appreciation
Healthy functioning pelvic floor muscles should allow for comfort during intercourse, tampon insertion, and gynecological exams. There are many reasons why penetration, for some, is painful. It’s common, but not normal. There should be no pain. Ever. The muscles of the vagina are built to release to allow for dilation without discomfort.
Shit, piss, and sex is important. However, the pelvic floor’s functions extend beyond what goes in and out of us. It plays a pivotal role in keeping our organs in place and our bodies stable. It takes the brunt of the work in maintaining upright positioning and balancing intra-abdominal pressure so that it’s not on the conscious brain’s radar. Call me a sentimental for rooting for the underdog, but the pelvic floor gets my vote.
