Strength, Sex & Confidence: Reclaiming You Through Pelvic Floor Power
By Guest Blogger:
Dr. Kaline E Mulvihill, DPT, CFSC, CNC
Let’s talk about something most women aren’t taught, but absolutely should be: your pelvic floor is the foundation of your strength, your sexual vitality, and your sense of self.
And here’s the truth: it doesn’t function alone. Your hormones, your nervous system, your gut, and even your daily habits, from how you poop to how you breathe, affect your pelvic health. When things start to feel off, it’s not random. It’s your body speaking.
Whether you're postpartum, perimenopausal, or somewhere in between, your hormones and pelvic floor are in a constant conversation. Understanding this connection changes everything.
Why Pelvic Floor Health Matters (and What It Really Is)
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that sits like a hammock at the base of your pelvis. It supports your bladder, bowel, and uterus. It also plays a major role in:
Core stability
Sexual function and orgasm
Continence (aka no peeing when you sneeze!)
Posture and breath mechanics
Emotional regulation via the nervous system
When these muscles are too tight, too weak, or just disconnected, symptoms show up—and they’re usually brushed off as “normal” parts of being a woman.
Let me say this loud and clear:
Leaking is common. But it is NOT normal.
Painful sex is common. But it is NOT normal.
A heavy, dragging feeling in your pelvis is common. But it is NOT normal.
These are red flags that your pelvic floor and hormonal system are calling for help.
Hormones and the Pelvic Floor: A Two-Way Street
Our hormone fluctuations, whether during your cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, or menopause, directly impact the tone, elasticity, and function of your pelvic floor.
Here’s how the key players interact:
Estrogen
Keeps vaginal and pelvic tissues plump, elastic, and well-lubricated.
Declines in menopause and postpartum lead to thinning tissues, vaginal dryness, and more susceptibility to tearing or prolapse.
Low estrogen = weaker pelvic floor, higher risk of leaking, and painful intercourse.
Progesterone
A calming, grounding hormone. In pregnancy, it relaxes muscles to support the growing uterus—but can also lead to constipation and more pressure on the pelvic floor.
Low levels postpartum and during menopause may contribute to tension and pelvic floor holding patterns.
Testosterone & DHEA
Yes, women need testosterone too. It supports muscle tone, libido, and energy.
When it drops (especially in menopause), you may feel weaker, disconnected from your body, and less interested in sex.
DHEA, a precursor hormone, also helps maintain pelvic tissue and lubrication.
Cortisol
Chronic stress means chronically high cortisol. That tension goes straight to the pelvic floor.
Over time, this can cause muscles to stay clenched—leading to pain with penetration, difficulty releasing during a bowel movement, and even sexual numbness.
Hormones influence everything from muscle function to your emotional relationship with your body. When we ignore them, we miss a major piece of the puzzle.
Pelvic Floor Fitness: More Than Just Squeezing
We’ve all heard of kegels, but pelvic floor fitness goes way beyond that.
Strength without coordination is just as problematic as weakness. That’s why a true pelvic floor program focuses on:
Awareness – learning to feel your muscles relax and engage.
Breathwork – using the diaphragm and pelvic floor in sync.
Mobility – opening tight hips, hamstrings, and fascia that pull on the pelvis.
Core synergy – integrating the pelvic floor with your deep core and glutes.
This isn’t about doing reps while you drive to work. This is about restoring function and flow to a part of the body that holds so much of our power.
Sexual Health: It’s Time to Normalize the Conversation
Let’s get honest: many women are struggling in silence when it comes to sex.
Pain with penetration. Decreased sensation. Difficulty orgasming. Low desire. Fear of leaking or discomfort. Shame.
It’s all connected to the pelvic floor, and often made worse by hormonal shifts, childbirth trauma, or chronic stress.
The good news? This can all be improved with pelvic floor rehab and proper hormone support.
What sexual dysfunction can look like:
Overactive pelvic floor muscles creating resistance or pain
Vaginal dryness due to low estrogen or testosterone
Emotional disconnection from past trauma or body image
Lack of core/pelvic coordination reducing blood flow and sensation
Healing in this space isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and energetic. When you reconnect with your pelvic floor, you reconnect with your power.
Bathroom Habits: What Your Body’s Telling You
Let’s talk poop and pee—because it matters.Are you going “just in case” 10 times a day? Do you strain to poop? Wake up at night to pee? Leak when you laugh or jump?
Your pelvic floor is involved in all of this.
Constipation increases pelvic pressure and weakens tissues.
Holding your bladder too long or going too often trains your pelvic floor into dysfunction.
Straining to go disrupts pelvic coordination and increases risk of prolapse.
Fixing these habits through pelvic floor education and hormone balance can completely change your day-to-day comfort.
Healing Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Every woman’s story is different—but too many are told the same thing: "Just do kegels." "It's normal after kids." "You're just getting older." No. You deserve better than that.
Real healing comes from:
Individualized assessment
Hormone testing (dig deeper)
Understanding your story, your body, your symptoms
Teaching you to feel safe and strong in your own skin again
Whether you're postpartum and can't feel your core, in perimenopause with painful sex, or just want to understand your body better—pelvic floor health is the missing piece that connects the dots.
Your Body Was Never Broken
Here’s the truth that’s often forgotten in women’s health:
You are not broken.
You do not have to live in pain.
You deserve pleasure, confidence, and control.
Your pelvic floor isn’t just about physical function—it’s about your sense of self. It’s the root of how you move through the world. And when we support it through hormone alignment, strength training, breath, and awareness, we tap into something deeper.
We return home to ourselves.
Ready to reconnect with your body?
Start by tuning in. Breathe. Notice. Get curious. And if you're experiencing symptoms—don't brush them off. Advocate. Ask questions. Seek support.
Your body is wise. And healing is possible.
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Dr. Kaline E Mulvihill, DPT, CFSC, CNC
Pregnancy & postpartum specialist
Founder & Coach Infinite Woman
Dr. Kaline Mulvihill, DPT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic floor specialist who believes that true strength starts at the root. With over 14 years of experience, Kaline helps women reconnect to the core of their bodies, addressing issues like leaking, prolapse, painful sex, and disconnection from pleasure.
Her work centers on pelvic floor health as the foundation of strength, stability, and self-trust. From postpartum to perimenopause, Kaline guides women through breath, movement, and education to restore function, confidence, and connection. She’s on a mission to break the silence around pelvic and sexual health, and help women reclaim power in every part of their body.