UGSA Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Information Sheet

The pelvic floor is made up of a group of muscles in the pelvis, attaching like a hammock to the pubic bone at the front and the sacral bone at the back. This hammock supports the pelvic organs – the bladder, rectum and vagina/uterus.

The pelvic floor muscles can be weakened during childbirth or with chronic cough, heavy lifting and straining. They may also weaken with ageing. This can create problems with urine leakage during physical activity/cough (stress urinary incontinence), faecal incontinence or vaginal prolapse.

Once stress urinary incontinence or prolapse develops, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is regarded as first-line management and may significantly reduce symptoms or the need for surgery.