Stuff No One Tells You About Your Pelvic Floor

I didn’t think twice about my pelvic floor until after I had my twins. Honestly, before that, I didn’t even know it existed. But I’ll never forget being at a wedding a few months postpartum, dancing barefoot in the middle of the reception hall, and suddenly realizing I couldn’t jump. Or more accurately, I shouldn’t jump — because if I did, I might pee a little.

Fast forward to life after baby number three, and things had flipped: sometimes I couldn’t pee at all, even when I really needed to. That’s when I realized something we don’t talk about enough: pelvic floor problems aren’t just about leaks. Sometimes it’s trouble going, pain, or even constipation.

Think of your pelvic floor as the team of muscles “down there” keeping everything in place. When it’s weak, you might leak, feel heavy, or notice pain during sex. When it’s tight, peeing can be tricky, and sex or movement might hurt. And yes, sometimes it’s a little of both at once.

A recent Rescripted survey found that 30% of women have never even tried pelvic floor exercises, and almost a quarter didn’t know what they were. Only 2% learned about them from a provider. That has to change.

Pelvic floor health matters at every stage of life. If your body is sending confusing signals, you’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone. The right support, like pelvic floor physical therapy, can be a total game-changer.

Ask Clara: How can I tell if my pelvic floor is weak, tight, or both?