Your Pelvic Floor Matters, Here’s Why

Everybody has a pelvic floor—what do you know about yours? Here are the basics. Thanks to @RenewLife for sponsoring this episode!

(then hit the little 🔔 icon and select "all.")

So YES, the pelvic floor is a real thing. You have as your pelvis a ring of bones here, and at the very base is a basket of muscles that attach from the pubic bone in the front, the sacrum and the tailbone in the back and then sling side to side and they help support your pelvic organs.

This includes the bladder, urethra, rectum, bowel, and anus. *In female-bodied people, they also include the uterus, cervix, and vagina. In male-bodied people, the pelvic floor supports the prostate.

This part of the body is still kind of shrouded in mystery… and even though everyone has one, female-bodied people are particularly affected because of pregnancy and childbirth.

Read More:
Yes, You Really Can Do Too Many Kegels. Here's What Happens.
“Ever have a charley horse in your calf or a knot in your neck? The same thing can happen in your vagina. Yes, it’s true. I know. Shocking.”

What is pelvic organ prolapse? Women, doctors share their experiences
“According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women in the U.S. have a 13% lifetime risk of having surgery to address pelvic organ prolapse.”

Kegels: Not for women only
"Men also can have issues with these muscles, which can cause urinary leakage, bowel trouble, and even erection problems," says physical therapist Celia Brunette, with Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Center.”

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Editor's Note: At Seeker, we recognized that people of many genders and identities have vaginas and uteruses, and are affected by the topics that fall into women’s health. For this episode, we interviewed experts who generally referred to people with vaginas and uteruses as women.

Body Language is Seeker’s latest series diving into the world of women’s health, and their bodies. For so long, the medical field only used men to conduct research, creating a gap in terms of what we know about women’s bodies. So in this series, we'll be talking to experts to get a better understanding of some of these issues, and what we actually know about them. So join us as we discover how incredibly cool the female body is and how much more we still have to learn about it.

Thanks to Renew Life for sponsoring this episode.

Body Language is Seeker’s latest series diving into the world of women’s health, and their bodies. For so long, the medical field only used men to conduct research, creating a gap in terms of what we know about women’s bodies. So in this series, we'll be talking to experts to get a better understanding of some of these issues, and what we actually know about them. So join us as we discover how incredibly cool the female body is and how much more we still have to learn about it.

[farisruzain]

Maren really is one of Science YouTube’s BEST presenters/hosts out there! Super clear, great flow and expressive attitude that is just nice! Love watching your videos!

[meegy]

I used to think peeing while laughing was a permanent affect of having a baby, but this eases my mind a little

[mastera]

I never thought that the reason why my back hurt so much or why I felt pain in my pelvic region in the morning, gotta go talk with someone on this
Thanks

[Trask]

It was so awesome to hear from Mary! Hope we can see her again from time to time!

[HitomiOokami]

awesome vid, I def struggle with some of the things mentioned day to day, espcialy sore muscle groups in the lower back an lower front core.. def gonna talk to my doc.

[sparkplugz]

This is such an important topic. Thanks for doing it.

[Seia]

I want you guys to cover breast pain. It happens prior to my period but also happens at random times as well. I want to know what’s going on. Thank you

[GOLDCOASTROLLOUT]

Just wondering how many other males such as me watched to be educated...Hope I'm not one of the few

[amykefauver]

Helpful to me, and terrific to see your beautiful mom!

[cristinaalexe]

Learned something new, loving this series of videos!!

[GoingtoHecq]

Credit to your mom for sharing her experience with the internet.

[dp]

I learned about my pelvic floor when I would join in with the exercise groups with my pregnant wife. It's probably necessary for women more than men.

[someguy]

I am glad you have this content, but where is the similar content for men?

[amuj]

I have never thought about my pelvic floor, and now I'm scared.

[avoidrealnames]

Forgive my ignorance, but what are female bodied and male bodied people?
Why not just use the term female and male?

[evilgingero_o]

Looking at all of the comments about "male bodied/female bodied" and seeing tons of people who seem to not know that there are people who are intersex at birth. Not common, but these people do exist, and also have a pelvic floor. And they also experience the issues a weak or overly tight pelvic floor can cause, sometimes with additional problems due to being intersex.
@Seeker - a video on what intersex means and the many forms of intersex would be interesting for some people, perhaps?

[dcphillips]

The word prolapse still freaks me out.

[hudsonurruttia]

Im really loving this series even as a dude who doesn't have to deal with all the stuff women put up with daily. Keep up the great content :)

[quintecence]

Can you do a video on the link between being afab and having an autoimmune disorder/chronic ilness?

[francisalexago]

Please do an episode on postpartum health.