---
title: "Pelvic Floor Muscles"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/p/pelvic-floor-muscles/
description: "Bladder control depends on muscles working together when the bladder is filling with urine. The bladder muscle should be relaxed and the muscles around..."
---

# Pelvic Floor Muscles

Bladder control depends on muscles working together when the bladder is filling with urine. The bladder muscle should be relaxed and the muscles around the urethra (the tube that urine passes through), called the pelvic floor muscles, should be tight. Exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can help hold urine inside the bladder, preventing leakage. These pelvic floor muscle exercises are commonly called "Kegel" exercises, named after the doctor who developed them.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

There are several ways to find your pelvic floor muscles. When using the pelvic floor muscles, women will feel a slight pulling in the rectum and vagina. Men will feel a pulling-in of the anus and the penis will move. Every person is unique, and different techniques work for different people.

Imagine that you are in a crowded room and feel as if you must pass gas or "wind." Most of us will squeeze the muscles of our rectum and anus (back passage) to prevent passing gas. The muscles you squeeze are the pelvic floor muscles. If you feel a "pulling" sensation at the anus, you are using the right muscles. In the majority of patients, this is the most successful technique.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Techniques
- General Technique
- Technique for Women
- Technique for Men
- Don't Exercise the Wrong Muscles
- Reasons
- Using Your Pelvic Muscles to Control the "Urge"
- These Exercises Cannot Harm You
- Routines
- Sample Exercise Schedule

## Other entries in Bladder Cancer, Control and Health

- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Boys](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-boys/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Uretheral Lesions Girls](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-uretheral-lesions-girls/)
- [Benign (Not Cancerous) Urethral Lesions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/benign-(not-cancerous)-urethral-lesions/)
- [Bladder Augmentation (Enlargement)](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-augmentation-(enlargement)/)
- [Bladder Cancer](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/n/non-muscle-invasive-bladder-cancer/)
- [Bladder Control Problems in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-control-problems-in-children/)
- [Bladder Diverticulum](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-diverticulum/)
- [Bladder Dysfunction and Urine Control in Children](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-dysfunction-and-urine-control-in-children/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/p/pelvic-floor-muscles/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Bladder Cancer, Control and Health**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

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- [About OAB](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/its-time-to-talk-about-oab/about-oab/)
- [Overactive Bladder: Patient Guide](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/overactive-bladder/)
- [Urologic Conditions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urologic-conditions/)
- [Educational Materials](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/educational-materials/)

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