The pelvic floor has a lot of people puzzled, and we’re here to help. We know it’s hard to visualise a set of muscles you can’t see— but what if you could hear them?
We’ve created a Pelvic Floor Playlist to bring your pelvic floor to life. Our three tracks illustrate the many wonderful ways your pelvic floor changes during three occasions: Orgasm, menstruation and pregnancy. Buckle up, you’re in for quite the ride.
Orgasm
A female orgasm can last between 20-35 seconds, with 5-12 pelvic floor spasms at 0.8-second intervals (but who’s counting?). This track is divided into two sections: Pre-orgasm and during.
The music initially begins dreamy and relaxed before the blood flows to the sexual organs and the build-up begins.
We know that the pelvic floor settles into regular pulses during the big moment itself, so as the pelvic floor muscles of the vagina tighten, you’ll hear a crescendo of (a)rousing synths. The music matches the rate and amplitude of the contractions of the pelvic floor by settling into rhythmic swells and surges to show the waves of pleasure. Ohhh yes!
Once the big ‘O’ has finished, the track fades to a soft finish to reflect the relaxation of the pelvic floor. Time to roll over and catch your breath!
Menstruation
There are four phases of menstruation — Follicular, Ovulation, Luteal and Menstruation — and this track follows this four-part structure.
Follicular
In the average menstrual cycle of 28 days, the pelvic floor muscle tone is significantly lower during the follicular phase (which lasts for around 14-21 days) and this is interpreted in the music with a low rhythmic throb.
The hormone oestrogen steadily increases through this phase, promoting serotonin (you know— that feel-good chemical).
Surprise, surprise, with this influx of good vibes from the serotonin, you may feel more of an urge to get hot n’ heavy.
Ovulation
The pelvic floor muscle tone continues to be lower during ovulation, which is the shortest phase of the menstrual cycle (it only lasts, on average, 16-32 hours). This is where the music in the track reaches a new level, and the egg being released is noted with a simple ‘drop’.
Luteal
The music in the track gathers in power to reflect the growing strength of the pelvic floor in this phase. This is that oh-so-glorious time of the month where women may experience pelvic floor muscle spasms, back pain and abdominal cramping. Boooooo.
Menstruation
As the muscles start to cramp, the music becomes repetitive with dragging sounds to exemplify these super-fun (not) sensations.
During menstruation, oestrogen levels fall and the pelvic floor muscles may not feel as strong. This phase can bring a general feeling of heaviness and dragging around the front of the pelvis and at the entrance of the vagina.
Aaaaand then we come full circle. The track seamlessly loops to symbolise the cyclical nature of menstruation.
Pregnancy
Your pelvic floor muscles are put under a lot of strain during pregnancy, and this will likely come as a shock to no one.
These muscles weaken over the nine months of pregnancy thanks to the hormonal changes and the weight of the baby pushing down on your pelvis. You’ll hear this relayed in the music with a gradually lowering pitch.
During a labour where the baby is pushed down through the pelvis, the pelvic floor muscles further lengthen and stretch to help the baby pass through the birth canal. You’ll hear this in the track at around 30 seconds where the notes are briefly lifted and you can hear the strings playing soaring seamless notes, allowing you temporary relief— phew!
After giving birth, the pelvic floor may feel bruised, swollen, looser, torn or painful (or a bingo win of all of the above).
In the melody, you’ll hear a very low, almost toneless dragging sound to represent a pelvic floor that’s lost its tone and elasticity— but never fear! With regular pelvic floor training with Elvie Trainer, you can strengthen this muscle back up again to be on tip top pelvic form.
So, what did you think? Isn’t your biology just incredible?
