‘Say no to power peeing’ and other good tips from a pelvic floor physical therapist – National Public Radio (NPR)

‘Say no to power peeing’ and other good tips from a pelvic floor physical therapist

June 26, 20258:15 AM ET, By Marielle Segarra, 22-Minute Listen

Painful sex. Urinary leakage. Constipation. Weak orgasms. What do these unpleasant experiences have in common?

They can all be symptoms of a pelvic floor dysfunction in women, says Sara Reardon, a pelvic floor physical therapist who has been in the field for nearly two decades. She is the author of Floored: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage, published in June.

The pelvic floor is a basket of muscles that sits at the bottom of your pelvis and has an important role, Reardon says. It supports organs like your bladder, bowels and reproductive system. It also works with your abdominal muscles to support your spine.

But for as much as we use our pelvic floor, “many of us don’t know these muscles exist,” she says. “Therefore, if a problem arises, [we don’t know] how to evaluate it and get treatment for it.”

One in three women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime, according to research, including young women and postmenopausal women who have never given birth, Reardon says.

Pelvic floor physical therapy, such as certain exercises and stretches, can be an effective way to address some of these issues, she says. Studies have shown it can improve bowel and bladder control, make sex more enjoyable, decrease lower back pain and improve postpartum recovery.

Reardon talked to Life Kit about what people with vaginas should know about their pelvic floor and what to do if you have pelvic floor pain. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Read more: ‘Say no to power peeing’ and other good tips from a pelvic floor physical therapist – National Public Radio (NPR)Source Links: Got pelvic floor tension or weakness? Try these therapeutic exercises : NPR