Weak pelvic floor muscles make sex less enjoyable for Australian women

MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate release. Brisbane, Qld, 13th May, 2008.

Weak pelvic floor muscles can take a heavy toll on a woman’s sex life and even affect the quality of her relationship, according to a new survey.

In the survey of over 250 women who identified themselves as having pelvic floor muscle weakness, over 54% felt that their problems had reduced their enjoyment of sex, with over 40% specifically saying that their ability to reach an orgasm had been affected.

Nearly half believed that their pelvic floor problems had adversely impacted on their relationship with their partner.

“It frustrates both myself and my partner because before we had a wonderful and healthy relationship” said one respondent.

Few women had sought any help, with most saying that they felt embarrassed to discuss the issue. Only 10% had talked with anyone about their sexual difficulties. “It’s hard to openly admit I have a problem” confessed one participant.

These results add support to new study from John Hopkins University in the US which found that amongst a group of women aged 40 and over, those who suffered from pelvic floor problems were more likely to experience sexual difficulties too.

Pelvic floor muscles can weaken as a result of age, hormonal changes, weight gain, pregnancy and childbirth, and for other reasons too. Because they are hidden, women often neglect them until they begin to experience problems.

The Australian survey respondents were aged between 21 and 74, with two thirds of them 35 or older.

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