Sexual Aspects of the Female Pelvic Floor

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the pelvic floor (PF). Maternity care has always considered the PF muscles an essential part of the birth and its disturbances. Gradually, the pelvic floor became a vital element for both sexual pleasure and sexual problems. This chapter will start by explaining its role in posture and movement, and sexuality and delineate the differences between the normotonic, the hypotonic, and the hypertonic pelvic floor and their influences on sexuality. The chapter also gives some elementary education on assessing pelvic floor function. After explaining the PF concerning pregnancy and birth, the chapter will address aspects of prevention and prehabilitation. In other words, this chapter will also deal with how to optimally prepare the pregnant woman for a relaxed birth with as low as possible negative consequences regarding vaginal laxity or pelvic floor prolapse. For the severe pelvic floor disturbances and their implications on sexuality and quality of life, the reader is recommended to look at Chap. 16. This chapter is part of ‘Midwifery and Sexuality’, a Springer Nature open-access textbook for midwives and related healthcare professionals.