# Pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is a sling of muscles at the base of the pelvis that supports the bladder and bowel, and in women the uterus.

The pelvic floor muscles help hold in urine and stool and support the pelvic organs. Like other muscles they can be trained for strength, endurance and relaxation, which is called pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). A 2018 Cochrane review of 31 trials in 1,817 women found PFMT cured or improved stress urinary incontinence more often than no treatment. Leaking, heaviness or pain are reasons to see a clinician, ideally a pelvic health physiotherapist.

Also called: Pelvic floor muscles, PFMT.

Related: [Progressive overload](https://revns.com/dictionary/progressive-overload.md)

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