Pelvic Health & Sexual Wellness — Why It’s More Than Just Kegels
Pelvic Health & Sexual Wellness — Why It’s More Than Just Kegels
When most women hear “pelvic floor,” the first thing they think of is Kegels. But here’s the truth: pelvic health is far more complex — and far more important — than just squeezing a muscle. At Priority Physical Therapy, we see women every day who’ve been told to “just do more Kegels,” only to find their symptoms don’t improve (and sometimes even get worse).
Pelvic health impacts everything from bladder control, to posture, to intimacy and sexual wellness. This month, we’re diving into how pelvic floor therapy can restore comfort, confidence, and connection at every stage of life.
Why “Just Do Kegels” Isn’t the Answer
The biggest myth in pelvic health is that every issue comes from weakness. In reality, many women actually struggle with pelvic floor tightness/tension rather than weakness. Adding more contractions to an already overactive muscle can make leaking, urgency, and pain worse.
Pelvic PT looks at your unique muscle tone, coordination, breathing, and movement patterns to create a personalized plan — one that works for your body, not a cookie-cutter program. Often I find other muscles surrounding the pelvic floor to be under-active thus the pelvic floor picks up the slack. I also find poor pressure management (ie lifing technique) to create more tension down against the pelvic floor and it responds by creating more tension.
Relaxation Matters, Too
Strength is important, but sometimes the most powerful step is learning how to let go. A pelvic floor that never relaxes can cause pain with intercourse, bladder urgency, and even low back or hip problems. Through guided breathing, body awareness, and hands-on techniques, we help your pelvic floor find balance. This can be very difficult to “feel” and why it’s hard to do it solo. We can show you different techniques for you to use internally and externally to help your body learn a new normal.
The Connection Between Pelvic PT and Intimacy
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about eliminating pain — it’s also about improving pleasure, confidence, and connection. By restoring healthy blood flow, tissue mobility, and muscle coordination, PT can:
Reduce pain with intercourse
Address scar tissue from childbirth or surgery
Improve confidence in your body
Support libido and overall sexual function (woohoo more fun!)
Pain with intimacy is never “just in your head.” Whether it’s scar tissue, hormonal changes, or muscle tension, there are real physical reasons behind it — and with the right care, there are solutions.
Postpartum Changes That Affect Sexual Wellness
The postpartum season brings big changes — physically, hormonally, and emotionally. Many new moms are surprised to find intimacy feels different after birth, and sometimes painful. Pelvic PT can help with:
Scar tissue mobility
Pelvic floor relaxation and strength
Core stability (which directly supports sexual function)
Confidence in your body as it heals and adapts
Positional changes to help reduce tension and learning how to focus breath to release and relax
Signs Your Pelvic Floor Needs Attention
Your body may already be signaling that it’s time to get checked. Common signs include:
Leaking with coughing, sneezing, or exercise
Pain during intimacy
Pelvic heaviness or pressure
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
Persistent low back or hip pain
The earlier you address these issues, the better your outcomes will be — and the sooner you can return to living life without hesitation.
The Big Picture: Confidence, Strength, and Control
Pelvic health is about more than symptoms. It’s about giving women the ability to feel strong, confident, and in control in their own bodies — whether that means running without leaks, enjoying intimacy without pain, or simply breathing with more ease.
At Priority Physical Therapy, we believe pelvic health is whole-body health. You deserve to be heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.
👉 Ready to learn what your pelvic floor needs? Schedule an evaluation today and take the first step toward lasting comfort and confidence.
