Pelvic Floor Strengthening

By Anne Asher, About.com Guide

Updated August 23, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

A successful exercise program -- whether to stabilize your core, beautify your biceps, or strengthen muscles -- will "overload" specifically targeted muscles so they grow stronger. And just like your abs or biceps, you need to exercise your pelvic floor muscles, which play an integral role in core stabilization. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles healthy and strong can not only enhance sex, but help your back at the same time!

According to Dr. Pauline Chiarelli, physiotherapist, continence advisor, professor, and author of Women's Waterworks: Curing Incontinence, there are steps you can take to develop a strong, healthy set of pelvic floor muscles that can be maintained for a lifetime. First, you must identify the pelvic floor muscles, then assess them for strength and endurance. Next, challenge the muscles to grow stronger, and lastly, keep up your work so you maintain a strong pelvic floor.

Previous

• Pelvic Floor Strengthening Programs - Introduction
• Pelvic Floor Contraction and a Word of Caution about doing Pelvic Floor Exercise
• Find the Inward Squeeze
• Determine Strength and Endurance of Your Pelvic Floor Contractions
• The Pelvic Floor Strengthening Program
• Lifetime Maintenance of a Healthy Pelvic Floor
• Tips and Considerations
• Sources

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