Pelvic Health and Intimacy - Sexual Health is Health!
Written by: Carlin Davinsizer (PT, DPT)
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and society reminds us to celebrate love with our significant others. Love can be expressed in many ways, and physical intimacy often comes to mind first when we think about this holiday. Or if it is not first, then it is second to flowers, chocolate, and candy conversation hearts!
No matter your age/stage of life or how little or long you’ve known or been with your partner, intimacy and sexual health is an important part of life. Valentine’s Day reminds us of this fact! It should be mutual and equally enjoyed, and not limited to only your younger years of life.
If we think about health overall, sexual health plays an important role! We have to be healthy enough to engage in that activity, and the act of it keeps us healthy physically, mentally and emotionally for more of our years. It improves the quality of our life, referred to as ‘healthspan’, a term coined by Dr. Peter Attia, MD in his recent book “Outlive.” Our ‘healthspan’ or how long we can live a healthy, active, fulfilling life without disease is one consideration, but sexual health also impacts (and improves) our ‘lifespan’, or how many years we live. When we think of this in terms of healthspan and lifespan, we are considering and caring about longevity.
For some however, it may not be benefitting our overall health at the moment, and perhaps we wish it were. Pelvic pain and bothersome changes that occur postpartum and during perimenopause and menopause may interfere and impact our mental health and relationships. You are not alone if this is holding you back and negatively affecting you. Pelvic Health Physical Therapists can help to improve these symptoms and many more!
Pelvic Health Physical Therapists are specialized experts at treating the pelvic floor muscles and all muscles surrounding the pelvis. The pelvic floor muscles form the base of the pelvis, attaching to the pubic bone in the front and the tailbone in the back. They help stabilize the pelvis from the bottom, regulate pressure from above and below, control continence, and play a very big role in sexual intercourse. If these muscles are tight, weak, uncoordinated or causing pain, then sexual intimacy can be negatively affected.
Pelvic floor physical therapy will help to address the root cause of pain or discomfort through manual therapy, breathwork, gentle stretching and exercises, and education. It can greatly improve symptoms, and in turn relationships and overall health improve as well!
Pelvic floor physical therapy isn’t only for pregnant women preparing for birth or postpartum women recovering from birth. It isn’t only for women who leak or have prolapse. It is also for women who are experiencing pain or discomfort and want to improve their sexual health, and therefore overall health and longevity.
It is an important part of life - quality (healthspan) and duration (lifespan) - and must not be overlooked.
It is to be appreciated not only on Valentine’s Day, but all days and throughout your many years.