How Orgasm Improves Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function

Learn How Orgasm Improves Postpartum Pelvic Floor Function

Try a naturally occurring strengthening method

Many factors come into play when considering resuming to sexual activity postpartum. Individuals who have just given birth are not only faced with potentially new physical aches and pains, but also shifting family and partner dynamics, which all play a role in painful sex and lowered sexual desire.

One study reported both of these common postpartum conditions as prevalent as 22% experiencing painful sex and 86% experiencing loss of desire². It is common in postpartum rehabilitation to be prescribed specific pelvic floor exercises in order to help strengthen the pelvic floor.

This type of treatment is common for conditions such as incontinence and prolapse, but what about a naturally occurring strengthening method - orgasm? Research has already shown that pelvic floor muscle training can improve sexual function not only in the postpartum population, but also in the general female population throughout different stages of life^1,2,3. But how about using orgasm as a therapeutic tool to improve pelvic floor function and strength in the postpartum period? 

A new research study explored exactly this method

In this randomized trial, one group of women was given a daily pelvic floor strengthening protocol, while the other group was given daily pelvic floor strengthening AND asked to initiate sexual activity to reach orgasm either with self or partnered twice a week. The first group was not told to refrain from sexual activity, but were only instructed on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises.

The good news is, both groups experienced improvements in pelvic floor muscle strength, ability to relax the pelvic floor, and improved sexual function across domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. However, the group that was prescribed orgasm as a therapeutic tool, experienced statistically significantly higher results in pelvic floor strength, relaxation, and sexual function categories than the group that was performing kegels only.

Both groups also experienced improvements in pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms such as incomplete bladder emptying, stress incontinence, and constipation, however the group prescribed sexual activity experienced greater improvements¹.

So yes, orgasm can be utilized to improve your pelvic floor strength and function, just as improving your pelvic floor strength and function can improve your orgasms. 

Read more blog posts in this series: Barriers to Restoring Sexual Function After Childbirth and Coping Mechanisms for Sexuality Changes Postpartum.

Sources:

1. Bhat GS, Shastry A. Sexually Induced Orgasm to Improve Postpartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength and Sexual Function in Primiparous Women After Vaginal Delivery: A Prospective Randomized Two-Arm Study. J Sex Med. 2022;19(11):1634-1643. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.08.189
2. Citak N, Cam C, Arslan H, et al. Postpartum sexual function of women and the effects of early pelvic floor muscle exercises. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2010;89(6):817-822. doi:10.3109/00016341003801623
3. Gao L, Xie B, Zhu H, et al. Association between pelvic floor muscle strength and sexual function based on PISQ-12-an analysis of data from a multicenter cross-sectional study on 735 nulliparae during pregnancy. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023;10:1093830. Published 2023 Apr 25. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1093830
4. Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-shirt-and-black-pants-sitting-on-bed-D-Dh6yUy8-M