The Female Perineum: Anatomy, Function, and Care

Basic Anatomy and Location of the Perineum

×

In women, the perineum is the area of tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus. If you imagine the bottom of the pelvis, the perineum is essentially the “floor” of that area. It’s often described as a diamond-shaped region at the base of the pelvis, with the front of the diamond at the pubic bone and the back at the tailbone (coccyx). This diamond includes the area around the vaginal opening at the front and the anus at the back.

Even though we often refer to the perineum as just the surface skin between the vagina and anus, anatomists include deeper structures as part of the perineum. Under the skin, there are layers of muscle and connective tissue. In fact, that diamond-shaped area can be divided into two triangles: the urogenital triangle in the front (where the openings of the urethra and vagina are), and the anal triangle in the back (where the anus is). At the meeting point of these two areas is a thick fibrous area called the perineal body, which ties together various muscles. But in simple terms, you can think of the perineum as the “bridge” of tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus on a woman’s body.

What Is the Perineum’s Function in the Body?

The perineum might be small, but it plays several important roles. It is a central part of the pelvic floor, which is the group of muscles and tissues forming the bottom of your pelvis. These structures support and protect the pelvic organs – including the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. In other words, the perineal region helps hold everything in place inside your pelvis.

Inside the body, the perineum contains muscles, nerves, and membranes that assist in some of our most vital functions. For example, the muscles in the perineum aid in bladder and bowel control. When you tighten to hold in urine or stool, you are using muscles of the pelvic floor (which the perineum is part of). These muscles work together with your urinary and anal sphincters to maintain continence (preventing leakage). The pelvic floor (perineal) muscles also relax to allow healthy urination and bowel movements when it’s time. In summary, a healthy perineum contributes to good bladder and bowel control, helping you pee and poop when you want to.

The perineum also has a structural role. It acts like a supportive hammock or foundation for the pelvis. By providing a strong base, the perineum (with the rest of the pelvic floor) stabilizes the pelvis and supports your spine and organs during activities like lifting or coughing. You can imagine the pelvic floor muscles tightening reflexively when you cough or sneeze – this is to support your internal organs against pressure. Thus, the perineum is essential for core stability and internal support.

The Perineum and Sexual Health

Beyond support and bathroom functions, the perineum is also important for sexual health and pleasure. The perineal area is rich in nerve endings, which means it’s quite sensitive. In fact, the perineum is considered an erogenous zone – touching or gentle pressure on this area can contribute to sexual arousal and pleasure. Some women and their partners may include stimulation of the perineum (for example, gentle rubbing or massage of the area between the vagina and anus) as part of sexual activity. Because the skin there is delicate and sensitive, it can respond positively to the right kind of touch.

During intercourse, the perineum also plays a physical role. It provides a bit of a cushion or support at the back end of the vaginal opening. This can affect comfort during sex. For instance, certain sexual positions put pressure on the perineum. Some find that a little pressure on the perineum can actually feel pleasurable, while too much pressure might be uncomfortable – it varies by individual.

Moreover, the muscles of the perineum are part of the same network of pelvic floor muscles that contract during orgasm. Having strong pelvic floor muscles can potentially enhance sexual function. Improved muscle tone in this area can lead to stronger orgasmic contractions and increased sensation. In fact, pelvic floor exercises (which we’ll discuss shortly) have been shown to improve sexual health by boosting blood flow to the genital area, making it easier to reach orgasm and increasing natural lubrication. So, keeping the perineum healthy and toned is not only good for support and continence, but it can also benefit your sex life.

Caring for the Perineum: Hygiene Practices

Taking care of your perineum is mostly about good hygiene and gentle care. Because the perineum is close to the openings of both the urinary tract and the bowels, cleanliness is important to prevent irritation or infection. The good news is that caring for this area doesn’t require anything complicated – in fact, “less is more” is a good rule (gentle, basic hygiene is best). Here are some tips on how to care for the perineum:

• Clean daily and gently: Wash the perineal area once or twice a day with warm water. You can use a mild, unscented soap if you want, but it’s not necessary to use strong soaps (avoid anything perfumed or harsh). In fact, many gynecologists suggest just warm water or a gentle cleanser for the vulva and perineum. Be gentle with washing – do not scrub this sensitive skin; just let water run over it or use your hand to gently clean. Harsh soaps or vigorous scrubbing can irritate the delicate skin.
• Always wipe front to back: After using the toilet, wipe from front to back (from the vaginal area toward the anus). This is crucial for females – wiping backwards (anus toward vagina) can drag bacteria from the rectal area toward the urethra or vagina and could cause infections like urinary tract infections. Using soft, white (unscented) toilet paper is ideal to minimize irritation. If you use wet wipes, choose gentle, unscented ones and still wipe front to back.
• Keep the area dry: After bathing or if you wash your perineum with a squirt of water after toileting, make sure to pat the area dry with a clean towel or tissue. Do not rub, just pat gently. Excess moisture can lead to chafing or yeast irritation. It’s also a good idea to wear breathable cotton underwear to allow air circulation and to avoid staying in wet swimwear or sweaty gym clothes for too long. A dry, clean perineal area is a healthier one.
• Avoid irritants: The perineal area and the vulva have a natural balance of bacteria and a certain skin pH. Using douches, deodorant sprays, or harsh chemicals can upset this balance and irritate the skin. Avoid douching (there’s no need to rinse inside the vagina; the vagina cleans itself). Also avoid scented powders, sprays, or panty liners with fragrance on the perineum. These products can cause dryness or allergic reactions for some people. Stick to gentle, simple hygiene routines – your perineum doesn’t need anything fancy. If you remove pubic hair, be cautious: waxing or shaving can sometimes irritate the perineal skin or cause ingrown hairs. If you choose to groom hair around this area, use clean tools and soothing practices (and never use depilatory chemical creams on the vulva/perineum, as they can burn delicate skin).

In short, keep it clean and dry, be gentle, and avoid harsh products. The perineum is a sensitive area that will stay healthy with basic care. If you ever experience persistent irritation in the perineal area (like redness, itching, or pain that doesn’t go away with improved hygiene), consider seeing a healthcare provider. But if you follow the simple tips above, you’re likely to keep your perineum happy and problem-free.

Perineal Health Exercises: Kegel Exercises

One of the best things you can do for your perineal health (and overall pelvic health) is to exercise the pelvic floor muscles. The most famous pelvic floor exercise is called the Kegel exercise, named after Dr. Arnold Kegel who popularized it. Kegel exercises involve repeatedly squeezing and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor (the very muscles around your perineum). These exercises are simple, can be done anytime, and they help keep the perineum and surrounding muscles strong.

Why are these exercises important? 

Over time, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken – this can happen due to factors like normal aging or injury (and also pregnancy/childbirth, though we’re focusing on non-medical aspects here). Weak perineal muscles can lead to issues such as urinary incontinence (leaking urine when you laugh or cough) or reduced sexual sensation. By regularly doing Kegel exercises, you can strengthen the perineum’s muscles, which helps support your organs and maintain bladder/bowel control. Many doctors and physical therapists recommend Kegels to women to help prevent mild prolapse or leakage issues, and even to improve sexual function. In fact, studies show that exercising these muscles improves blood flow and muscle tone, which can make orgasms stronger and increase sexual satisfaction. In short, Kegels are a simple exercise with big benefits for perineal health.

How to do Kegel exercises

You don’t need any equipment for Kegels – just your own body awareness. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify the right muscles. Before doing Kegels, it’s important to locate your pelvic floor muscles. One way is to imagine you’re trying to stop passing gas or stop the flow of urine mid-stream. The muscles you squeeze to do that are your pelvic floor muscles. (You can actually try this once while urinating to feel the muscles, but don’t make a habit of stopping your urine frequently – it’s just to identify the muscles.) Women might also feel these muscles by inserting a clean finger into the vagina and squeezing – the tightening you feel around your finger is the pelvic floor. Once you know the feeling of contracting those internal muscles, you’re ready to exercise them.
2. Contract and release. To perform a Kegel: tighten those pelvic floor muscles (as if you’re lifting them up inside you). Hold the contraction for about 3 to 5 seconds if you can. It might help to imagine lifting a marble with your vagina – this is a common visualization After holding the squeeze, relax the muscles for 3 to 5 seconds. This counts as one Kegel repetition – you squeeze, hold, then release. Don’t worry if you can only hold for a second or two at first; with practice you’ll build endurance.
3. Maintain focus on the perineal area. When doing Kegels, focus on tightening only the pelvic floor muscles. The trick is to isolate them. Try not to squeeze your abdominal muscles, thighs, or buttocks at the same time. Also, remember to breathe normally – do not hold your breath while you squeeze. It might help to put a hand on your belly to make sure your abs aren’t tensing up. Concentrating on the feeling around the vagina and anus tightening will help ensure you’re working the right spot. If you feel your butt or thighs clenching, relax and refocus on just the internal squeeze.
4. Repeat regularly. Kegel exercises work best when done consistently. A common routine is to do 10 to 15 Kegel contractions in a row, which counts as one set. Try to do at least 3 sets of Kegels per day. You can spread them out (for example, morning, afternoon, and night). The nice thing is you can do Kegels almost anywhere and anytime – sitting at your desk, watching TV, or lying in bed – and no one will know. In the beginning, you may find it easier to do them lying down, because then you’re not working against gravity. As you get stronger, you can do them sitting and standing too. Make Kegels a daily habit (some people pair them with a routine like brushing teeth or at red lights). With time, the muscles will get stronger – usually people notice improvement after a few weeks of regular practice.

Tips

Don’t overdo it at first – if you do too many too fast, the muscles might get fatigued and actually start to cramp or spasm. Gradually build up the duration of holds and the number of repetitions. Also, as a caution, do not routinely do Kegels while urinating (such as start-stop urine flow exercises) because that can sometimes cause incomplete bladder emptying or urinary tract infection. It’s fine to test once to locate muscles, but for exercise, do Kegels when you’re not actually peeing.

By doing Kegel exercises regularly, you’ll help keep your perineum and pelvic floor strong. This pays off in daily life – you might notice better bladder control (for example, less dribbling when you sneeze) and possibly enhanced sensation during intimacy due to stronger muscle tone. It’s a small time investment for a healthy perineum.

Final Thoughts

The female perineum may be a small part of the body, but it plays a big role in overall health, comfort, and well-being. From supporting pelvic organs to contributing to sexual pleasure and bladder control, this area deserves attention and care. As with any aspect of health, small daily habits make a big difference. Treat your perineum with the same respect you’d give any essential part of your body — gently, consistently, and mindfully.