Ginecologie
30-10-2023
Perineal massage: what it is for and when to do it?
Data publicării: 21-04-2023
Actualizare la: 14-07-2023
Subiect: Ginecologie
Durată de citire estimată: 1 min.
Autor articol
Tommaso ReveraRedactor medical
Claudio PaganottiEditor și traducător
Viktoryia LuhakovaPerineal massage is a very effective practice for stretching the pelvic muscles between the pubis, thighs, and coccyx. It involves a series of strokes, circular movements, and pressure at the perineal level that aim to relax connective and muscular tissues, improving the trophism and tone of the perineum.
We delve into this topic with Dr. Claudio Paganotti, a gynecologist at the Istituto Clinico Città di Brescia.
After childbirth and menopause: massage for multiple purposes
"Massaging the perineum after childbirth," explains Dr. Paganotti, "promotes the recovery of tissue tone, facilitating the return to satisfactory sexual activity. A toned perineum, in fact, ensures adequate vaginal comfort with better couple relationship.
In the postpartum period, it is advisable to perform it for a couple of months, only after any lacerations have completely healed.
Massaging the perineum in menopause, on the other hand, facilitates hydration and prevents loss of tissue trophism, typical of hormone deficiency in this phase of life. A trophic perineum limits problems of vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse by improving vaginal comfort overall.
In menopause, it is done for 2-3 months, best repeated cyclically 2-3 times a year."
When to do perineal massage?
It is best to perform a perineum massage at night before bedtime for 5 minutes, 2-3 times a week. It is a treatment that requires a quiet environment, and it is important to assume a comfortable position (semi-sitting, squatting or standing with one foot on a chair), preferably in front of a mirror to visualize the area to be massaged.
How to do perineal massage?
After washing your hands, you should lubricate your fingers to facilitate movement with:
- sweet almond oil;
- St. John's Wort oil (emollient and soothing);
- cream based on hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Initially, a grazing of the labia minora and labia majora is performed with the thumb with the aim of taking perception of the part and removing any tissue tension. Then, with the thumb in the vagina, a gentle semicircular movement is performed, along the vaginal opening, from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock and vice versa.
"The purpose," the specialist concludes," is to:
- relax peri-vaginal connective and muscular tissues;
- increase blood circulation;
- stimulate superficial nerve endings in the perineum.
Finally, while implementing the movement, constant pressure is applied from the inside down to compress the tissues against a resistant plane.
Perineal massage can present difficulties, but these will be overcome in time. The main thing is to concentrate: massaging allows you to get to know your muscles so that you can better control their action during sexual intercourse."