Understanding Your Pelvic Floor and Genital Health

Becoming familiar with your pelvic floor and genital area is essential for maintaining overall health. Just as examining your breasts is important for detecting any changes, so is understanding your pelvic region. Yet, many of us neglect this critical area of our bodies.

What Is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that form a hammock-like structure, supporting your pelvic organs, including your bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. This muscle group plays a vital role in your body’s functionality, such as bladder control, sexual health, and childbirth. However, it can be challenging to exercise or even be aware of this part of your body since it’s not easily visible.

Why Should You Be Aware of Your Pelvic Health?

To identify any changes in your body, it’s important to know what your “normal” is. Many people overlook their pelvic health, assuming that if everything feels fine, there’s no need to pay attention. However, understanding your own anatomy can help you catch potential issues early, such as pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, or sexual discomfort.

Unfortunately, taboos and stigma around discussing genital health have caused many women to shy away from openly talking about or examining their bodies. For example, many women may feel uncomfortable talking about vaginal discharge, dryness, or even lumps. This discomfort is particularly common among younger women. However, understanding your body is a crucial step toward ensuring your long-term well-being.

Also read: Thrush and Fertility: Understanding the Connection

How to Examine Your Pelvic Area

If you’ve never examined your genital area, here’s how to get started:

1. Gather a Handheld Mirror: Set aside 10 minutes in a quiet, comfortable environment. Position yourself in a well-lit room, lying down or sitting on the edge of a chair, toilet, or bathtub with your legs relaxed and open.
2. Use Proper Lighting: If natural light isn’t available, use a small desk lamp or flashlight to see more clearly.
3. Observe and Explore: Begin by observing your genitals. Everyone’s anatomy is unique, and there is no “right” way for your genitals to look. The media often presents an unrealistic image of what female genitals should look like, typically portraying small or invisible labia and no pubic hair, which can make many women feel self-conscious about their appearance.
4. Touch and Feel: With clean hands, gently touch different parts of your genital area. Lubricants or natural oils can help you explore what feels comfortable for you. However, avoid oil-based products if using condoms, as they can degrade the material.

What Should You Look For?

• Mons Pubis: This is the fatty area over the pubic bone where pubic hair grows.
• Labia Majora (Outer Lips): Covered in pubic hair, these protect the inner genitals.
• Labia Minora (Inner Lips): More delicate and usually hairless, these lips vary greatly in size and shape.
• Clitoris: A sensitive nub where the labia minora meet, the clitoris contains many nerve endings and is a key part of sexual pleasure.
• Urethra: This small tube opening is where urine exits your body.
• Vagina: This is an internal tube that leads to the cervix and uterus. The vagina is self-cleaning and typically produces discharge, which changes throughout your menstrual cycle.
• Perineum: This is the area of skin between your vaginal opening and anus.
• Anus: Controlled by a circular muscle (sphincter), this part is located behind the perineum.

It’s essential to recognize that your genital anatomy will look different from others. Variations in size, color, or symmetry are completely normal.

How to Check Your Pelvic Floor Health

You can observe the impact of pelvic floor exercises by looking at your perineum while contracting these muscles. As you perform a pelvic floor contraction (commonly referred to as a Kegel exercise), the tissue between your vagina and anus should lift slightly. If you notice that your buttocks or thigh muscles are tensing, try to isolate the movement to your pelvic floor muscles.

How to Keep Your Pelvic Floor and Genitals Healthy

1. Know Your Normal: Regularly observe and feel your genital area so you can recognize any changes. If you notice soreness, itching, redness, or lumps, consult your healthcare provider.
2. Vaginal Discharge: Pay attention to your vaginal discharge, which can change throughout your menstrual cycle. Clear, slippery discharge is common before ovulation, while thicker, cloudier discharge occurs after.
3. Hygiene: Clean your vulva with warm water and mild, unscented soap. Avoid using harsh soaps or douches, as they can disrupt your vagina’s natural pH balance, leading to infections like thrush.
4. Wear Clean, Breathable Underwear: Opt for cotton underwear and change it daily to maintain good hygiene.
5. Respect Pubic Hair: Pubic hair is natural and serves to protect against friction. While removing it is a personal choice, remember that skin in this area is delicate, so if you do remove hair, choose gentler methods like waxing or sugaring.
6. Lubrication: Natural lubrication varies depending on your menstrual cycle and sexual activity. If you experience dryness, especially during sex, consider using a pH-balanced lubricant.
7. Regular Pelvic Floor Exercises: Strengthening your pelvic floor is important for bladder control, sexual function, and preventing issues like prolapse. Practice Kegel exercises regularly by tightening and lifting the muscles around your urethra, vagina, and anus.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you notice anything unusual such as pain, unpleasant smells, itching, or unusual discharge, it’s important to consult your doctor. These symptoms could be signs of an infection or other medical conditions that may require attention.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your pelvic floor and genital health is just as important as other aspects of your well-being, such as brushing your teeth or getting regular check-ups. Becoming familiar with your body and understanding what’s normal for you is an essential step toward maintaining long-term health. Don’t shy away from exploring or talking about your body—it’s a key part of your overall well-being!

Also read: Understanding and Addressing Common Causes of Infertility