Sexual Fitness - Improve Your Sex Life

More and more women are beginning to talk about the changes and problems that childbirth and natural ageing can have on the body. A healthy pelvic floor is very important for women to be able to have a full and active sex life and to recover from and prepare for childbirth.

It was once accepted without question that nothing could be done to help with problems of incontinence after childbirth, or that sexual intimacy would never be quite the same again.

Now there is help available.

It is well accepted that the most effective way to build up a muscle is by exercising, by contraction and relaxation often against a resistance. This involves exercising the muscles of the pelvic floor and so improve the vaginal embrace.

A Healthy Pelvic Floor

A healthy pelvic floor is needed not only for good vaginal embrace, but also to maintain continence.

The pelvic floor acts as a hammock which is essential for maintaining continence. Often childbirth results in stretching and tearing of the pelvic floor muscles, and these can be returned to good health.

A weak pelvic floor can often result in incontinence or the leaking of urine when coughing, lifting, straining, walking or exercising. When there is incontinence involved it is advisable to contact a specialist gynaecologist, urologist, nurse or specialist physiotherapist. Usually exercises will solve the problem and these may involve electrostimulation and/or biofeedback (see Incontinence for more details).

Dr. Arnold Kegel states that "it is a rare woman that cannot receive great benefit from regular pelvic floor exercise". Childbirth and ageing cause pelvic floor muscles to stretch and weaken. Usually this occurs over a period of time so the reduction of feeling may not be noticed. However, weak pelvic floor muscles can affect the ability to have one or more orgasms, the intensity or duration of the orgasm, can contribute to hypesthetic syndrome (lack of feeling), reduced vaginal embrace for the partner and can cause leakage during intercourse. Often strengthening the muscles results in "new" sensations that add a new level of enjoyment for both partners.

In addition to the clitoris, most of the nerve endings that produce sexual pleasure are not located in the wall of the vagina but deep within the pelvic floor muscles. Because of this, these nerves respond principally to pressure and not friction. Well conditioned muscles will produce a tight vaginal embrace which in turn causes the male organ to exert the necessary pressure to stimulate these sensitive nerves.

A number of women who have never experienced an orgasm reported doing so after engaging in exercise. If your condition is directly related to the weakened condition of pelvic floor muscles you should notice a difference in a short period of time. However, there are many other potential reasons (some physiological and some psychological) why one may not obtain an orgasm. For more information books are available (Becoming Orgasmic by Julia R Heiman and Joseph LoPiccolo) or consult your doctor.

The pelvic floor muscles, like other muscles in the body, will weaken over time through the natural process of ageing. Without proper exercise, these muscles lose their tone, size and shape. Childbirth dramatically stretches the muscles but exercise will help.

A well toned pelvic floor can be determined by your doctor or therapist. When the muscles have good tone, resistance in the vagina is felt in all directions. When the muscle tone is poor the vagina is roomy and the thin walls feel as though they have been detached from the surrounding muscle.

For answers to questions not covered in this website, consult your doctor, a trained professional or contact Genesis Medical