👻 Scary Pelvic Floor Myths That Need to Stay Buried

By Dr. Stephanie Daniel, Fortis Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health in Greenville, SC

Some pelvic floor myths are downright spooky.

Every week, I meet people who have been told all kinds of stories about their bodies. They’ve heard that pain is normal, that leaking is something they just have to live with, that their body will fall apart if they lift more than 10 lbs, or that they’ll never feel strong again unless they do hundreds of Kegels. These myths hang around longer than they should, quietly shaping how people see themselves. So in the spirit of the season, let’s dig them up and put them to rest for good.

Myth #1: “Everyone should do Kegels”

Mmmmmm, not necessarily.

If your pelvic floor muscles are already working too hard or staying tight all the time, doing more Kegels can make things worse. It’s like pulling on a knot that’s already tangled. Kegels aren’t bad, but how and why and when they are used matters. Some people need to work on relaxation and coordination before they start building strength. And honestly? Most folks do them wrong and are actually bearing down.

At Fortis, we look at the full picture. We assess breath, posture, pressure, and movement to help your system work together the way it should. The goal is balance between length, strength, and function.

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t about tightening. It’s about connection, awareness, and learning how to use your body well.

Myth #2: “Leaking is just part of getting older”

This one needs to stay buried deep.

Leaking might be common, but it’s not normal. It’s your body’s way of saying something isn’t working the way it should. The good news is that it’s absolutely treatable.

With the right plan and consistency, leaking can improve. I’ve had clients tell me they finally feel free to laugh, sneeze, exercise, or, my favorite, jump on the dreaded trampoline with their kids without worrying.

You don’t have to accept it as part of aging. You just need the right guidance to retrain your system.

Myth #3: “You can’t lift weights with pelvic floor issues”

You can, and you should.

Strength training is one of the best ways to support your pelvic floor (and entire body) when it’s done correctly. Lifting builds coordination, endurance, and confidence.

The key is learning how to breathe, brace, and move in a way that supports your pelvic floor rather than puts extra pressure on it. That’s exactly what we focus on in both our rehab and Fortis Foundations programs.

Strong doesn’t mean fragile. Strong means capable and adaptable.

Myth #4: “If you’re pregnant, you can just do whatever you did before”

Not quite.

Pregnancy changes how your body handles pressure, balance, and load. That doesn’t mean you can’t be active, it just means your body deserves a more intentional approach. Pregnancy is exceedingly personal and person-specific. At Fortis, we assess your baseline and your goals, and then develop a plan (together) to progress from point A to point B and beyond. We don't put anything off limits, but we train so that your body can handle whatever you ask of it. We design programs that adapt to where you are in your pregnancy or postpartum journey so you can keep training safely and confidently.

The goal is to build strength for what’s ahead, not to push through and hope for the best.

Don’t Let Myths Haunt Your Healing

Your body isn’t broken. It’s resilient and adaptable (yes I know I've said that, but I'm going to keep saying it until you believe it for yourself, too). And with the right plan, it can rebuild strength, control, and confidence at any stage of life.

If any of these myths sound familiar, it’s time to replace them with real knowledge and a personalized plan that fits you. You deserve to understand your body, not fear it.

Ready to Bury the Myths and Start Healing?

We have limited openings this week for:

• Pelvic floor and orthopedic evaluations

• Discovery calls (a free 15-minute consultation to get clarity on your next step)

• Starting wellness and remote coaching programs

Secure your free discovery call here.

See the Post That Inspired This Blog

Want to see the visuals from this series? View the full Scary Pelvic Floor Myths post on Instagram