Weak pelvic floor muscles can take a heavy toll on a woman’s sex life and even affect the quality of her relationship, according to a new survey by Pelvic Floor Exercise , the pelvic floor specialists.

In the survey of over 250 women who identified themselves as having pelvic floor muscle weakness, over 54% felt that their problems had reduced their enjoyment of sex, with over 40% specifically saying that their ability to reach an orgasm had been affected.

Nearly half believed that their pelvic floor problems had adversely impacted on their relationship with their partner.

“It frustrates both myself and my partner because before we had a wonderful and healthy relationship” said one respondent.

Few women had sought any help, with most saying that they felt embarrassed to discuss the issue. Only 10% had talked with anyone about their sexual difficulties. “It’s hard to openly admit I have a problem” confessed one participant.

These results add support to new study from John Hopkins University in the US which found that amongst a group of women aged 40 and over, those who suffered from pelvic floor problems were more likely to experience sexual difficulties too.

“These results don’t surprise me at all” said Linda McClelland, founder of Pelvic Floor Exercise , who conducted the survey. “We are regularly contacted by women who are worried that they are less sexually responsive because their pelvic floor muscles have become weak. They tell us that they feel able to talk to us by phone or email, but they find it very hard to raise the topic face-to-face with a doctor or therapist.”

Pelvic floor muscles can weaken as a result of age, hormonal changes, weight gain, pregnancy and childbirth, and for other reasons too. Because they are hidden, women often neglect them until they begin to experience problems.

“The first step to overcoming these problems is for a woman to strengthen her pelvic floor muscles” said Linda. “Because some women find it very hard to do this without help, we stock a range of exercise aids that can make all the difference” she continued.

“Feedback exercisers are particularly helpful for improving sexual response, as they really assist women to go the extra mile. We are easily contactable via our website at and always happy to talk to women about the aids we have available.

Respondents in the survey were aged between 21 and 74, with two thirds of them 35 or older.