The Health Benefits of Pelvic Floor Exercises
Are you a soon-to-be mother looking for different ways to prepare for childbirth? Do you wish to get back into shape, but are unsure of where to start? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about pelvic floor exercises.
They can be the game-changer that you need to alter your course of health. Pelvic floor exercises are incredibly crucial for a woman’s overall health and well-being. If you’re wondering whether they’re worth the time and effort, you clicked on the right article!
See below for an in-depth guide on the health benefits of pelvic floor exercises for your general fitness.
1. Better Organ Health
For those of you wondering what we’re referring to by “pelvic floor”, it’s the muscle layer that extends from your tail bone (back) to your pubic bone (front). This forms the bottom layer, or “floor”, of the pelvis.
The purpose of the pelvic floor is to support and protect the bladder, uterus, and bowel. It’s responsible for preventing leakage, protecting the organs from blunt force, and so forth.
The stronger a pelvic floor is the less leakage that you will experience. It can also improve its functionality, making it easier for you to empty your bladder and bowel (pee and poop, respectively).
The bladder alone is one of the most neglected organs in the body. Without a strong pelvic floor to protect it, it becomes a victim of the environment that it’s exposed to. This can lead to discomfort due to leakage before or after you pee, have sex, etc.
It turns out that the way you handle your business can also affect your pelvic floor’s condition. If you strain too much to empty your bowel or bladder, you’re putting unnecessary stress on the pelvic floor.
Start being more intentional about working out your pelvic floor, as well as more mindful of the stress you’re putting on it. For more information on ways to strengthen your pelvic floor, be sure to visit this article.
2. Improved Health for Men and Women
Generally speaking, you’ll most often hear doctors recommend pelvic floor exercises for women. But make no mistake, they can be just as beneficial for men as well!
In fact, the health benefits of pelvic floor exercises for men are quite substantial. Such benefits include:
- Treating erectile dysfunction
- Potentially preventing premature ejaculation
- Regain control of the bladder
The last portion is especially important for men that have just undergone prostate surgery. Men, if you want to improve your bowels movements and sexual performance, then start doing Kegels right away!
Ladies, we now shift our focus to you! You’ve probably had medical experts tell you to strengthen your pelvic floor, but is it really worth it? Kegels, and other exercises for strengthening your pelvic floor, can offer the following benefits:
- Heighten the pleasure of sex
- Prevent urinary leaks and improve functionality
- Resolve pelvic organ prolapse (displacement or misalignment)
To get the best results, medical experts advise that women perform Kegels every day. Fortunately, they don’t take long to complete, yet still offer incredible results!
3. Kickstarts A Healthier Life
The great Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
Many Americans want to shift to a healthier lifestyle, they just don’t know where to begin. The truth is that performing any form of regular exercise will inspire you to reach new heights. All it takes is taking that first step.
If you’re not where you want to be physically, then it’s time to kickstart the change. Pelvic floor exercises can be a tremendous way to start things off.
As we previously mentioned, Kegels don’t require much time to perform. If you perform them every day for 5 to 10 minutes, you will start to notice a drastic change! This can be what gets the snowball rolling.
Studies have shown that exercise can help you curb your appetite as well, meaning you can improve your diet and start seeing results faster.
4. Better at Dancing
Do you ever feel awkward or uncoordinated when you’re performing a functional movement, such as dancing? This could be another sign that you have a weak pelvic floor.
Don’t believe us? Ballet dancers swear by it! Some dancers even go so far as to perform Kegels before practice to ensure optimal performance.
A pelvic floor workout helps them improve their endurance. Ballet dancers are able to maintain a better posture without sitting on their hips. This is what helps them achieve that statue-like form.
5. Better Understanding of Your Body
Most men and women are out of sync with their bodies. As a result, their posture suffers, they battle chronic pain, and their muscles don’t perform as they should.
Pelvic floor exercises can help you get back in touch with one of your body’s most overlooked areas: the pelvic floor. You’ll be able to tighten your pelvic floor in a way that very few others can.
You’ll have quicker, more efficient trips to the bathroom. Even your partner will thank you, as it can help you perform better in the bedroom. What other reason do you need?
Use Pelvic Floor Exercises to Your Advantage
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the health benefits of pelvic floor exercises, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to browse our website for more articles on working out, as well as many other topics that you will enjoy.