HealthInfo Canterbury
Pelvic floor muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are a group of muscles that stretch from the back (your tail bone) to the front (your pubic bone) and from side to side. They can move up and down, a bit like a trampoline. They have holes in them to allow your urethra and anus (and for women, your vagina) to pass through. They're often referred to as your core muscles.
In men, the PFMs support the bladder and bowel. In women, they support the bladder, bowel and uterus (womb). Together with other muscles, they support and stabilise your pelvis and spine. They also help with bladder and bowel control and prevent leakage of urine (wee), wind and faeces (poo).
Causes of weakened PFMs
When your PFMs get weak or are damaged, they don't work as well. Common causes of this are:
- excessive straining when passing a bowel motion (poo) due to constipation
- repeated heavy lifting putting pressure on the muscles
- the muscles getting weaker with age
- being overweight, which puts more pressure on the muscles
- surgical removal of the prostate (men)
- pregnancy and childbirth (women)
- hormonal changes due to pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or menopause (women).
Strengthening your PFMs
With the right exercise programme, it's possible to retrain and strengthen your PFMs. See:
Pelvic floor exercises for men
Pelvic floor exercises for women
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created December 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIURS-53047
