Glossary
Perineum
The bit between vagina and anus you almost never name, but that plays a part in sex, in the pelvic floor and in childbirth.
What is the perineum?
The perineum (in Dutch also bilnaad) is the area between the genitals and the anus. In women it lies between the vulva and the anus, in men between the scrotum and the anus. It is a small but sensitive piece of skin and muscle tissue that plays a part in sex, in the pelvic floor and in childbirth.
| In Dutch | bilnaad, literally “butt seam” |
| Also known as | taint, perineal area |
| Where it sits | in women between vulva and anus, in men between scrotum and anus |
| Category | part of the pelvic floor region |
| Why it matters | a sensitive area during sex, and vulnerable during a vaginal birth |
| Practical | perineal massage beforehand lowers the chance of a tear or an episiotomy |
Why the perineum matters
For many people the perineum is an erogenous zone. Wikipedia notes that touch there is pleasant for one person and unpleasant for the next, so what feels good stays personal. In men the prostate sits just behind the perineum, which makes pressure on that area extra arousing for some. Anyone who tightens the pelvic floor muscles often feels it right in the perineum, which shows how close those two lie. The perineum is also the spot that takes the heaviest strain during a vaginal birth. According to the same source, about 85 percent of women get some tear in the perineum during a birth, and part of them need stitches.
Perineal massage before childbirth
Anyone who is pregnant can prepare the perineum. A Cochrane review by Michael Beckmann and Owen Stock concludes that perineal massage in the last weeks of pregnancy lowers the chance of perineal damage, above all episiotomy, and of lasting pain afterward, and that women generally tolerate it well. Women who have not given birth vaginally before benefit the most. The researchers advise pointing women to this benefit and explaining how to massage. For the instructions and guidance, your midwife or doctor is the right place.
Where this fits on this site
The perineum is anatomy, not a service I provide, but attention for the whole body instead of only the obvious spots does belong to how I work. How a meeting is built up, you can read at intimate togetherness. Talking can always come first, and that commits you to nothing.
Sources
- Perineum. Wikipedia. Gives that the perineum lies between anus and genitals, that some experience it as erogenous and others as unpleasant, and that about 85 percent of women get some perineal tear during a vaginal birth.
- Antenatal perineal massage for reducing perineal trauma. Michael M. Beckmann & Owen M. Stock, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013, number 4. Gives that perineal massage beforehand lowers the chance of perineal damage (above all episiotomy) and of lasting pain, and that the benefit is clearest for women without an earlier vaginal birth.
Related terms
The perineum belongs to the pelvic floor and the surrounding anatomy. The terms below place it in that frame.
- Pelvic floor. The muscle layer that closes off the bottom of the pelvis, and the perineum forms the outside of it.
- Pregnancy sex. Where preparing the perineum for the birth belongs.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
Does perineal massage help before childbirth?
Yes. A Cochrane review shows that perineal massage in the last weeks of pregnancy lowers the chance of perineal damage, above all episiotomy, and of lasting pain. Women who have not given birth vaginally before benefit the most. Ask your midwife or doctor to explain how to massage.
Who can you turn to with questions about the perineum?
For the medical side, such as perineal massage or complaints after a birth, your midwife, doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist is the right place. Victor, a gigolo with twenty-five years of experience and a background as a psychotherapist, thinks along without judgment about attention for the whole body. You can reach him through the contact form or first chat for free, no obligation.
Learn more
Still have questions about the perineum?
I'm Victor, a gigolo with a background as a psychotherapist. For the medical side your doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist is the right place, but attention for the whole body belongs to how I work. Curious how that goes? Send me a message, I'll text you back whenever it suits you.