The perineum (also called “pelvic floor” in medical language) is defined as a set of diamond-shaped muscles located at the level of the pelvis: this “hammock” is stretched between the pubis and the coccyx.
The perineum is the “floor” that supports the viscera – including the bladder, uterus and rectum. When the perineum relaxes (for example: after a pregnancy), more or less serious health problems can appear: urinary leakage, prolapse (we also speak of “organ descent”), anal incontinence, back pain , loss of sensations during intercourse…
The perineum remains poorly understood (yet it is essential!)
Despite its crucial role, the perineum remains largely unknown. A new survey (carried out by the Censuswide Institute for the Intimina brand among 1,015 French women aged 25 to 75) reveals that only 52% of women know where their perineum is… but when asked, 33% of them describe the vulva!
As a reminder, the vulva corresponds to all of the female external genitalia: this word therefore designates in particular (but not only) the glans of the clitoris, the labia (small and large) and the opening of the vagina. Unlike the perineum, the vulva is visible; moreover, only women have a vulva, while men also have a perineum.
If many French women are unable to locate their perineum, health problems related to an insufficiently toned perineum are (them) widespread: thus, according to the Intimina survey, 68% of women have already had urinary leakage. The problem seems more widespread in Clermont-Ferrand, Reims, Rennes and Bordeaux.
Source :Intimina survey
