Why Breathing is Important for the Pelvic Floor?

Let’s start with a breathing exercise.

Take a slow and controlled breath in for 5 seconds…5…4…3…2…1.

Now breathe out for 5…4…3…2…1.

Amazing!

If you are dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction you may be wondering what exercises you can do to help. A great place to start is with breathing. Yes, breathing is something we do every day to live, but the way you breathe can directly influence how your pelvic floor behaves.

Your pelvic floor sits at the base of your abdomen and your abdomen has a pressure system. When you inhale, pressure increases in the abdomen, and the pelvic floor drops. When you exhale, that pressure decreases, and the pelvic floor lifts. This relationship is important.

So, let’s say you are someone who has urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse and every time you lift something heavy, you hold your breath. Or let’s say you experience pelvic pain, and you hold your breath to brace yourself to have sex with your partner. Holding your breath will change the way your pelvic floor should naturally move and potentially worsen your symptoms.

So yes, breathing is very important for the health of your pelvic floor!

I challenge you to increase your awareness of your breathing patterns throughout the day. Where can you relax? When can you let you breath flow instead of holding it? The more aware you become of your breathing, the better your pelvic floor can move and the better you will feel.