Pelvic floor: why sex toys are your great allies

08/04/2021 6:00 AM

• Clarín.com

• Relations

Updated 08/04/2021 6:00 AM

The

pelvic floor

is the set of muscles and ligaments found at the base of the pelvis.

Its importance is such that it passes through numerous physiological functions.

Therefore, preventing its dysfunction (or treating it when it is already a fact) is essential.

"Almost everything we do in our lives can end up having repercussions on the pelvic floor," said kinesiologist

Marcela Polonsky

, a specialist in the rehabilitation of this musculature.

“All of us have a pelvic floor, whether we have a penis or a vulva.

It accompanies us all our lives and we use it to hold pee and poop, exercise, have sex or reach orgasm.

Among those of us who menstruate, it allows us to use the cup and the tampon without them coming off ”, added

Juliana Saccoccia,

also a specialist kinesiologist (on Instagram they are @kinesiologiamujer).

Problems of this type do not have to do with the passage of time, one of the main myths about it.

“No matter how old you are, we can all have pelvic floor dysfunction.

Its care is important because it infers on the functionality of the pelvic organs and the sexual function itself, "said sexologist

Carla Galiano

(on Instagram, @ carla.galiano).

Almost everything we do in our lives can end up having an impact on the pelvic floor.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Issues that affect the pelvic floor

What situations affect the pelvic floor?

Saccoccia and Polonsky mentioned that there are multiple factors that can lead to a dysfunction of this type.

Among them, they highlighted the impact sport;

daily efforts such as lifting bags or children;

doing household or work tasks that involve force.

Sitting all day can also be harmful, as can constipation and the need or habit of "straining" when urinating or defecating.

“Speaking of habits, it is also bad for the functioning of the pelvic floor to go to the bathroom to pee every so often (go just in case), but also to hold on too much.

Ideally, wait 2-4 hours between one urination and the next, ”Polonsky explained.

Other factors are chronic cough, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, and vaginal delivery.

There are multiple factors that can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Symptoms to watch out for

Some of the most frequent alterations, according to kinesiologists, are urinary incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse, pain in the genital area, pain when filling the bladder (interstitial cystitis), an increase in the frequency in which we pee.

Also constipation, fecal incontinence, low back pain, pain in the coccyx, pain in the pubis, pain in the pelvis and painful periods.

Many tools can be found in the sexshop.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Sex toys, allies of treatment

“When we work in the session, according to the evaluation, we apply different tools.

However, many can be found in the sex shop and are often identified as sex toys, ”said Saccoccia.

Chinese balls

Polonsky said that they are used in the later stages of rehabilitation, when there is

weakness (eg in cases of incontinence or prolapse).

They are used progressively and always in motion to help keep the pelvic floor active.

"By

vibrating

inside the vagina, they generate a response in our muscles," said the specialist.

However, he clarified that if there is too much weakness or tension, its use can be counterproductive.

Dildos

Often used in therapy, they help to elongate the muscles and desensitize the area.

"In these cases we are gradually increasing the size of the dildo (it is used a lot in all dysfunctions that have to do with pain)", Saccoccia mentioned.

Vibrators

The kinesiologists defined them as "great allies".

It is used as if it were a massager, to work on different points of tension and loosen them.

In addition, the vibration helps to relax the muscles or activate them.

Pelvic floor trainers

Galiano, sex coach from LELO Argentina, stated that they work on strength and tone at the same time, thanks to their vibrations that indirectly activate the pelvic floor.

Sex toys, allies of treatment.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor

“The pelvic floor is a muscular and ligament structure, but for the most part it is made up of ligaments rather than muscles.

Therefore, in addition to the specific exercises, we have to add a good quality of life, good nutrition, hydration, reduction of stress and a good rest ”, Galiano clarified.

For their part, the kinesiologists added that "the famous Kegel exercises are used and also hypopressive exercises, but all within a therapeutic framework."

"The idea is to evaluate the muscles of each patient and, based on what they need, indicate contraction and relaxation," they concluded.

There are many prejudices and taboos to access consultations.

Photo illustration Shutterstock.

Bye, prejudices

How is the reaction of those who must undergo treatment and use sex toys suggested by specialists?

"There are a lot of

prejudices and taboos

to access consultations, not to mention when we recommend that they get a dildo or a vibrator," said Polonsky.

Going to a

sex shop

to buy these accessories, he added, generates even more modesty.

"Sometimes we make the joke that, if they need to, we give them the indication in writing, with a signature and stamp," he joked.

For Galiano these prejudices come from "ignorance, fear and mistrust".

In this sense, he urged to free oneself from taboos and to take care of the pelvic floor: "Strengthening and elasticizing it entails many benefits, both for enjoyment and to improve its continence, support, reproductive and sexual functions."

Look also

Kegel exercises: what they are, what they are for and how to perform them

3 exercises that will help you have a better sex life

Make sure your daughter knows the difference between her vagina and her vulva

In the name of enjoyment: female orgasm, divine treasure