The Secret Link Between Your Pelvic Floor and Orgasms Blog

The Secret Link Between Your Pelvic Floor and Orgasms

The big O, a happy ending, climax, le petit morte… whatever you call it, everyone *should* know what an orgasm means. However, in case you were also a victim of the standard sex ed curriculum – five minutes on anatomy and a warning to never do it (groundbreaking stuff) – let’s dive into it!

Defining the Orgasm

Sexual function has three key components: desire, arousal and orgasm. An orgasm is a complex physiological and psychological response to sexual stimulation, characterised by intense pleasure, rhythmic muscle contractions and a release of sexual tension. It’s not just about the clitoris (although she definitely plays a headline role), it involves a coordinated interplay between the brain, nerves, hormones, and muscles.

Because of its complexity, there can be many ways to orgasm: 

• Just friction: it is possible to have an orgasm with just physical input and no intimate or sexual connection.
• Clitoral orgasm: a non-penetrative climax achieved through stimulation of the clitoral complex and surrounding vulval tissue.
• Penetrative orgasm: can be toys, fingers, or other appendages.
• Blended orgasm: a combination of both clitoral and penetrative orgasm.
• Anal orgasm: this is possible due to both the pelvic floor muscles and anal nerves being stimulated.
• Stimulation of erogenous zones: there are many areas of the body when stimulated can trigger arousal and (with enough attention) orgasm.
• Mental orgasm: the brain is a vital part of your sexual experience, and therefore when stimulated can create orgasm. This can be done through visual stimulus, verbal/dirty talk or fantasy.
• Exercise-induced orgasm/‘Coregasm’: as your core and pelvic floor are closely linked, it is possible to reach orgasm through certain types of exercise.

Everyone’s perception and experience of orgasm is unique and varied – so the intensity, extent and enjoyment of climax is hard to standardise across the board. 

Pelvic Floor: the hidden muscles behind sexual pleasure

The pelvic floor plays a key role in generating the physical sensations and muscular surges that many people experience during climax. The strength, length and sensitivity of orgasm can be largely dictated by your pelvic floor muscles. A strong pelvic floor means better stimulation of your clitoral nerve complex to help you build towards orgasm, with strong pelvic floor muscle contractions directly correlating to a more intense, pleasurable finish.

In many cases, women’s subjective perception of an orgasm’s end occurred after the cessation of pelvic floor contractions. Similarly, there can still be smaller contractions or ‘aftershocks’ as the pelvic floor muscles return to their base resting tension. 

When things go wrong

Female sexual dysfunction is not a rare thing, with anywhere from 38% to 85.2% of women experiencing bother with sex. Symptoms of sexual dysfunction are:

• Low or absent sexual desire/libido, or a reduced interest in sexual activity.
• Difficulty with arousal: (trouble becoming physically or mentally aroused.
• Reduced lubrication: can be due to poor sexual desire/arousal, hormones (e.g. oestrogen deficiency), medication side effects or changes within the vaginal tissue.
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia): stinging, burning, or discomfort either at the entrance or deeper internally.
• Difficulty achieving orgasm: delayed orgasm or inability to achieve orgasm (anorgasmia)
• Vaginismus (involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles making penetration painful or impossible)
• Reduced sexual satisfaction or pleasure: feeling unfulfilled after sexual activity.
• Emotional distress linked to sexual activity: shame, anxiety, frustration, or avoidance of sex.

While there are a number of causes for this (sexual pain conditions, pregnancy, diabetes, alcohol, smoking, menopause and aging), there is a significant correlation between urinary incontinence and sexual disorders. With 43% of women with incontinence also experiencing sexual dysfunction, the key link between these being the pelvic floor muscles. If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, coordinating poorly or overactive/too tight, this can result in not only incontinence but can also trigger problems with sex. 

Putting sex back on the table!

(Metaphorically speaking… unless that’s your thing)

Improving pelvic floor muscle function is closely linked to enhanced sexual performance and satisfaction. Research shows that women who are sexually active or who experience orgasm tend to have greater pelvic floor muscle endurance than those who are not sexually active. Stronger pelvic floor function is also associated with improved arousal and overall sexual satisfaction.

Better sex can truly begin with a stronger pelvic floor. In fact, one study found that women who completed pelvic floor exercises for stress urinary incontinence not only experienced fewer leaks, but also reported significant improvements in sexual function and pleasure—even though the program wasn’t designed with sexual wellness in mind. When these muscles work well, they provide stronger stimulation, helping to achieve climax more easily and leading to longer, more satisfying orgasms.

A pelvic floor assessment is the first step in finding the right exercises and strategies to support your sexual health. Just as important is working with a physio who makes you feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout the process. At Female Physio Co., our clinicians are highly trained and experienced in pelvic health, here to help you move beyond discomfort and rediscover sex that feels not only comfortable, but truly enjoyable.

Click the BOOK NOW link to chat with one of our Women’s Health Physiotherapists.

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