1 I’ll be honest

I knew about the pelvic floor.

Due to the nature of my work, I naturally had the knowledge. I knew where the muscles were, why they are necessary, and why they weaken. I had explained their importance and how to use them using devices from around the world that facilitate Kegel exercises.

Perhaps that’s true for everything. Until you experience it yourself, you don't really understand or feel that it concerns you.

That "oops" moment when you sneeze. The slight panic when you can't stop laughing.

Only then, after giving birth, did the term "pelvic floor" become a matter of my own body.

That was the case even for me, someone who works in Femtech. So, for those of you not worried about it yet. And perhaps, for those of you who are starting to feel a little concerned. I want to write about this today.

2 Where is the pelvic floor?

Even if you’ve heard the term "pelvic floor," I suspect few people can actually visualize where it is.

It is at the "bottom" of the pelvis. Literally, it is a collection of muscles spread out like a hammock at the very base of the pelvis. It supports three vital organs for women—the bladder, uterus, and rectum—from below.

You can't see them from the outside, and you can't touch them.

If it were an arm or thigh muscle, you’d know exactly where it is, but with the pelvic floor, even when you intend to move them, it’s hard to tell if they are actually working. That’s how much they are "there, but unnoticed" muscles.

Even though a single muscle group does all this, it’s rarely acknowledged. They work silently every single day.

3 We aren't using them today

Women of previous generations naturally used their pelvic floor in their daily lives. Squatting to clean, carrying heavy objects, using squat toilets. Those actions moved these muscles without them even realizing it.

But what about now?

Sitting in front of a computer all day. Slouching while looking at a smartphone. Teleworking, sometimes not stepping out of the house at all.

If you sit in a chair for long periods, your pelvis tends to tilt backward. When that posture continues, the pelvic floor struggles to perform its original function, and it gradually becomes an area that is hard to notice while remaining unused.

Because our lifestyle has changed, the opportunities to use them naturally have decreased. For us living in the modern era, these muscles are in a place we can only move if we are conscious of them.

4 To you who think "This doesn't apply to me"

Many might feel that urinary leakage is an "old person's issue" or a "postpartum issue."

However, the numbers tell a different story.

And it is not rare for people to be aware that they are experiencing leakage but not consult anyone about it.

You’re worried but can't talk about it. You don't know who to consult. You tell yourself it’s not a big deal.

There are many such people around you. Perhaps even yourself.

5 What those trying to conceive should also know

The conversation about the pelvic floor isn't just about urinary leakage. It’s a theme that people thinking about pregnancy should also know about.

The pelvic floor is a muscle group involved in blood flow around the pelvis, posture, and core stability. When thinking about building a healthy body while trying to conceive, I believe caring for the pelvic area can be viewed as part of daily self-care.

Pregnancy is even more demanding. As your belly grows, the weight of the uterus continues to put pressure on the pelvic floor. If it was already a hard-to-feel area, it can easily lead to discomfort around the lower back and pelvis.

And then, during childbirth. As the baby passes through the birth canal, the pelvic floor stretches significantly. It is believed that if the muscles are flexible, they can adapt to that change more easily.

If the pelvic floor remains weak postpartum, it can lead to continued urinary leakage or an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse. That is exactly what I experienced at that time.

That’s why I believe that rather than "treating it after it happens," it is far better to "be a little conscious of it before it does."

6 So, what can we do?

The most common way to be conscious of the pelvic floor is through Kegel exercises. You "squeeze" around the vagina and anus, then slowly release. You repeat this. It doesn't require tools and can be done while sitting.

However, it is a fact that few people stick with it.

Because they are hard-to-feel muscles, you often think you are doing it but aren't actually engaging them. And because it’s hard to feel the results, it’s easy to give up.

At fermata, we carry various products, from analog pelvic floor training items to ones that keep you engaged with game-like apps and EMS devices that approach the muscles.

The important thing isn't to decide "this is the only right way." It’s to choose something that fits your body’s condition, lifestyle rhythm, and ability to stay consistent.