When most people think about the pelvic floor, they imagine it’s only relevant to older adults or new mums. But here’s the surprising truth: pelvic floor health matters at every stage of life—including your teenage years. In fact, teaching teens to understand, care for, and protect this vital part of their body could prevent years of discomfort, embarrassment, or even a serious pelvic floor problem later on. Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or a teacher, now’s the time to start the conversation. Here’s some insight from a leading female surgeon and pelvic floor specialist on why this is so important.
What Is the Pelvic Floor, Anyway?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that sit at the base of the pelvis. These muscles act like a supportive sling for the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When functioning properly, they help with bladder and bowel control, posture, core stability, and even sexual function later in life.
If these muscles become weak, tight, or uncoordinated, it can lead to a pelvic floor problem—and that can affect anyone, not just adults.
Why Teens Are Not Immune to Pelvic Floor Issues
Pelvic floor dysfunction in teenagers is more common than many people think. Some early signs of a pelvic floor problem include:
- Leaking urine during exercise, sneezing, or laughing
- Constipation or straining to empty the bowels
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Lower back or hip pain without an obvious cause
These symptoms can be uncomfortable, distressing, and embarrassing—especially for teenagers trying to navigate school, sport, and social life. But there’s good news: most issues can be managed or even reversed with early intervention from a pelvic floor specialist and physiotherapist.
What Causes Pelvic Floor Problems in Teens?
Several factors can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction in adolescents, including:
- High-impact sports such as gymnastics, dance, or athletics
- Constipation, which increases pressure on the pelvic muscles
- Chronic coughing or asthma
- Poor posture and core weakness
- Holding in urine or poor toilet habits
- Hormonal changes during puberty
Young athletes, in particular, may unknowingly put their pelvic floor under significant strain. While sport is fantastic for health and confidence, without proper support, it can sometimes lead to long-term muscle imbalance or overuse injuries—including in the pelvic region.
Why Education Matters
Understanding how the pelvic floor works and what it needs to stay healthy is empowering. Just like we teach teens about brushing their teeth and exercising for their heart health, pelvic floor awareness should be part of a well-rounded education.
Knowledge allows teenagers to:
- Recognise the signs of a pelvic floor problem early
- Adopt healthy habits for long-term pelvic health
- Feel more comfortable speaking to a pelvic floor specialist
- Avoid the physical and emotional impact of untreated symptoms
Most importantly, early education can break down the stigma. When teens know that pelvic floor care is normal, science-based, and nothing to be ashamed of, they’re more likely to seek help when needed.
What Can Teens Do to Support Their Pelvic Floor?
Here are some simple steps that teenagers can take to protect their pelvic floor:
- Stay hydrated and avoid holding in urine for long periods
- Avoid excessive straining during bowel movements
- Strengthen core muscles through pilates and other core exercises with proper guidance
- Maintain good posture when sitting and studying
- Learn how to do pelvic floor exercises (ideally with professional advice)
- Speak to a parent, GP, or female surgeon if any symptoms arise
Pelvic floor training isn’t just about squeezing muscles—it’s about learning how to relax and coordinate them too. A pelvic floor specialist or physiotherapist can offer personalised guidance and exercises that support the body’s natural function.
Let’s Make Pelvic Health a Teen Topic
It’s time we stopped treating pelvic floor care as something only older women need to worry about. Teens deserve to know how their bodies work—and that includes understanding what a pelvic floor problem looks like and how to prevent it.
Whether it’s through school programs, sport coaches, or a visit to a pelvic floor specialist, we should be opening the door to early support and healthy habits. With the right knowledge, young people can build strength, confidence, and body awareness that lasts a lifetime.
If symptoms are present or questions arise, it’s always best to speak to a GP, healthcare provider or a trusted female surgeon who is a pelvic floor specialist. The earlier an issue or pelvic floor problem is identified, the easier it is to manage. Pelvic floor health isn’t just for mums—it’s for everyone. Let’s start talking about it.
