You’ve probably encountered the phrase pelvic floor in posts about Kegels or pregnancy. But pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for those who’ve carried a baby—it’s for everyone with a pelvis (yes, that includes you).
“Since everyone has a pelvic floor, anyone can experience pelvic floor dysfunction,” Dr. Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor specialist and certified sexuality counselor with her own practice, says. “Pelvic floor PT is not just for pregnant or postpartum people—it’s for all gender identities. Half of my patients are men.”
So if you’ve ever had pelvic pain, urinary leaks, or discomfort during sex, your pelvic floor might be trying to talk to you.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
“The pelvic floor is a group of muscles within the pelvis. It sits like a muscular bowl or hammock and supports the pelvic organs,” Dr. Gelman explains, “Your bladder, rectum, and prostate or uterus. It plays a role in core stability, bowel, bladder, and sexual function.”
Think of it as a supportive sling that holds key organs in place, helps regulate elimination, and plays a starring role in sexual response. When it works well, you may barely notice it — but when it’s off, the signals can be loud.
When Things Go Off Course: Dysfunction Symptoms
Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles can manifest in many ways, often in overlapping symptoms. According to Dr. Gelman, any dysfunction in these muscles can result in bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction.
“People can also experience pain in the anus, perineum, genitals, hip, back, or abdomen,” she says, “People may report symptoms like pain with penetrative sex, pain with urination, pain with bowel movements, constipation, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, or difficulty voiding.”
If one or more of these sound familiar, especially if they’re persistent, your pelvic floor might benefit from therapeutic attention.
She adds that, as a pelvic floor PT, she looks at the entire person while assessing and treating the pelvic floor. That means you’re not just a symptom list: posture, breathing, stress, movement patterns; all those inform and influence how your pelvic floor behaves.
Beyond Gender: Why Pelvic Floor Therapy Is for Everyone
Historically, pelvic floor health talk has often been siloed into “women’s health” or postpartum recovery. But what if we told you that the reality is broader and even inclusive to all genders?
“The superficial muscles of the pelvic floor attach at the base of the penis and the clitoris,” says Dr. Gelman. “They play a role in sexual function, including erections. The pelvic floor muscles rapidly contract and relax during an orgasm.”
When those muscles are tight, overactive, or miscoordinated, they can contribute to painful sex (for all bodies), erectile dysfunction, or difficulty with arousal. Conditions like vaginismus and vulvodynia are among those that respond particularly well to pelvic floor therapy:
“If these muscles become dysfunctional, it can lead to pain with sex, so pelvic floor therapy is very helpful for conditions like Vaginismus and vulvodynia.”
So whether your body has a uterus, a penis, or both (or none), pelvic floor therapy can help rebuild trust, comfort, and function in those muscles.
Rethinking “Do More Kegels”
If you mention pelvic health, many people reflexively think, “Time to Kegel!” But Dr. Gelman says that’s not always the answer, either.
“Most people assume they have weak pelvic floor muscles and need to do Kegels, but more often people have a guarded, tense or overactive pelvic floor and Kegel exercises would not be appropriate. Instead, someone needs to work on learning how to relax their pelvic floor muscles.”
In other words, sometimes your muscles need release, not contraction.
That’s why tools like diaphragmatic breathing, gentle stretches or yoga (like child’s pose), and guided relaxation can be foundational. They train your body to soften, release tension, and allow the pelvic floor to recalibrate rather than persist in overactivity.
Everyday Habits That Support Your Pelvic Floor
Therapy is only one piece of the puzzle. How you live day-to-day makes a big difference:
“Pushing and straining to defecate can negatively impact the pelvic floor,” notes Dr. Gelman. She recommends staying well hydrated and using supportive posture aids like a toilet stool to take pressure off the pelvic floor.
A wise motto: “Don’t force it; support it.” Taking your time, hydrating, and using posture tools can reduce stress on the pelvic floor in the bathroom, and your body will thank you for it.
Playground Products & Pelvic Health
Here at Playground, our line of intimacy and wellness products can also add to your pelvic floor journey (yes, really!) by supporting your comfort, lubrication, and, of course, your own pleasure.
Here are some Playground-approved products that can play nicely alongside pelvic floor therapy:
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Free Love: Especially helpful when pelvic tension or pain causes dryness or friction during intimacy. Glycerin-free, it’s a clean, body-friendly lubricant that reduces friction and supports pleasure without exacerbating discomfort.
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Love Sesh: For times when more moisturization is needed (especially if vaginal tissues feel dry or sensitive), this dual-action formula — hydrating due to the added ingredient of glycerin — can help ease internal dryness while offering serious glide.
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Miracle Melts: These deeply hydrating inserts can support vaginal tissue health. If pelvic floor dysfunction has led to dryness or sensitivity, this product can be a gentle ally in promoting comfort.
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Mood Maker: Massage and touch are not just for pleasure—they support body awareness, relaxation, and nervous system regulation. A botanical oil formulated for intimate spaces can help set the tone for safety, ease, and connection.
When using these products alongside pelvic floor work, keep a few tips in mind:
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Go slow and gentle
If your body is already tense or reactive, introduce new products gradually.
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Use them as tools, not fixes
These can help ease symptoms (pain, friction, dryness), but they don’t replace therapy and integration.
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Partner with your therapist.
Mention which lubricants, oils, or inserts you’re trying to your pelvic floor specialist — they can help assess how your tissues are responding.
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Observe and adjust.
If something causes discomfort, pause and reassess. The goal is comfort, not endurance.
Remember, by weaving actually good intimacy products into your pelvic health toolkit, you’re giving yourself options for ease, pleasure, and connection.
The TL/DR?
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t a niche fix; it’s one of the most powerful ways to reconnect with your body, reclaim comfort, and rediscover pleasure. Whether you're navigating leaks, pain, or just curiosity, a skilled pelvic floor PT can guide you toward alignment and ease.
And in the backdrop, using well-formulated, body-safe products like ours can support your tissues’ comfort and even your desire to feel pleasure! Sure, they don’t substitute the therapeutic work, but they can soften the experience.
As Dr. Gelman says, “Pelvic floor PT is for everyone.”
