Login
Register

Home

About Us

Diagnoses

Treatments

Classes

Resources

Media

Testimonials

Blog

Account

Heather Jeffcoat in Cosmo
Register
image depicting belly press during sex
Image courtesy of Getty Images

The bottom line: If a little belly press during sex helps turn you on more, that’s what matters most.

If you’ve spent much time on our site, you may have noticed that we focus primarily on improving the health of your pelvic floor, particularly if you are having issues due to illness, life changes like pregnancy or menopause, and/or recovering from an injury. But once your pelvic floor is in shape, we also love to present various techniques that help you enjoy sex more. So when Cosmo did a deep dive on the “belly press during sex” craze, they reached out to me for some input on the how’s and why’s about the technique, why it works (or not), and if and when there are times you should avoid it.

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT

The article begins:

If you’re thinking there’s no way that could possibly feel good, hear us out: Gently applying pressure to the lower abdomen during sex can feel amazing and potentially amplify your orgasms. You’ve just gotta figure out how to make it work for you.

The method first came to light when TikTok creator Nurse Ria (@love.ria.nurse) posted a video claiming that for people with vulvas, the belly press sex thing can “stimulate the G-spot from the outside.” The video quickly went viral, garnering over 1.2 million likes and racking up thousands of comments—both from enthusiastic supporters and more hesitant TikTokers saying “no thanks.” Although Nurse Ria’s video has since been deleted, the method sparked a ton of interest online—but considering it might sound low-key uncomfortable and the G-spot doesn’t actually exist, the post also left people wondering if it’s legit.

Cosmo Aks Me “What Exactly *Is* The Belly Press Method?”

As I mentioned to Cosmo, “belly press”-induced arousal makes sense anatomically. The belly button and external genitalia are all derived from the same structure, and this includes the clitoris. Since pressing on the lower belly can activate a variety of sensitive areas, the method may amplify orgasm.

Does the Belly Technique Help Stimulate the G-Spot?

Holly Wood, PhD(c), LMFT says that the “G-Spot” is really just an anatomical interaction between the clitoris, urethra, and anterior vaginal wall, called the clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex, which is located about 2-3 inches inside the vagina on the front vaginal wall (the top wall if you're lying down on your back). And it makes sense that since many women find internal stimulation of this area arousing, that external pressure on this same area might just increase that arousal. Which leads us to…

How to Do the Belly Press Sex Thing

Clearly, there’s a lot going on anatomically that can make the belly thing a physical turn-on. So, how do you try it? “You can experiment with this by pressing down—or having a partner press down—on the abdomen, just above the pubic bone,” Wood suggests. “You can also try stimulating from the outside and the inside at the same time by using a finger or toy internally while applying that external pressure.”

When Should You Avoid the Belly Press Thing?

[Some people] find that pressure on their bladder causes them to tense up (often because they’re afraid of peeing), which can hinder orgasm,” O’Reilly says. “The bottom line is that some people love pressure against their bladder and others do not. You may also find that this type of pressure feels good on some days or not others; it may align with your menstrual cycle or the differences may be entirely random,” she says.

In short, if you’re dealing with incontinence or you are experiencing menstrual discomfort, trying the belly press during sex may not be the right thing at the moment. If you are suffering from conditions like painful bladder syndrome, you may want to try the belly technique during solo play before you involve your partner. If you’re dealing with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and other similar issues, you may want to avoid the technique as well. If the idea of pressing on your belly during sex appeals to you, great! But if not, that’s OK, too.

Go here to read the full article at Cosmo on the belly press during sex technique, and go here if you think you might need some therapy before you're ready to try it for yourself.

More Media Coverage

What Our Patients Have to Say

Prev
Next

Testimonial by Jamie M.

I have been going to see Heather for a while now, and I can't tell you enough how much she has improved my quality of life. Heather specializes in issues like pelvic floor, but I see her for other orthopedic issues.

I have a lot of chronic joint pain and dysfunction issues (back, hips, neck) that require that have ongoing physical therapy maintenance. The effects of my problem joints/areas overlap and interconnect with each other in complex ways, so helping me requires really having a complete understanding of the entire skeletal and muscular system. Pain does not always appear where the problem actually is, the human body is a twisty, many-layered puzzle. I have an exercise program I do at home and I am very functional, but there are just something things I need a PT to help me out with.

Read more: Testimonial by Jamie M.

Testimonial by Ann V.

I wish i could give this place 10 stars!! 
I have been suffering from vaginismus for 5 years and never found the cure to it. I had seen an ob/gyn and he diagnosed me with vaginismus and told me i needed a surgery to cure my condition, which i refused to do. He also referred me to a PT that he works with, i had given them multiple calls and they never responded back to me, so i started searching yelp for another PT. I am SO HAPPY I found Heather's office! I was working with Laureen, and with her guidance and techniques i was able to be cured from vaginismus in only 2 1/2 short months!!! I couldn't believe how quickly their program worked for me! I am forever grateful and thankful from Heather, and Laureen! They are the absolute best at what they do!

Read more: Testimonial by Ann V.

Testimonial by P.M.

I was hopeful but frankly skeptical when the doctor treating me for Interstitial Cystitis recommended that I go to Heather for physical therapy. Medication and diet helped control my IC symptoms, but I had never heard of physical therapy being used to treat IC. The education and treatment I received from Heather was a revelation. She explained that the pain I experienced with IC had helped create a cycle of muscle guarding which affected the entire pelvic area. I had no idea of the amount of tension being held there. No wonder my husband and I had not been able to have sexual intercourse for years!

Read more: Testimonial by P.M.

Testimonial by Amanda W.

Heather's unique physical therapy program literally changed my life! After years of struggling with vaginismus, a condition that made it impossible for me to have intercourse and very difficult to use tampons without pain, a gynecologist referred me to Heather. I was nervous for my first appointment, but Heather's professional and friendly demeanor put me at ease. She did a great job explaining each technique she was using to help my muscles relax. Heather uses a combination of internal and external stretches and exercises to relax the pelvic floor and build muscle strength. Her specially developed home program helped me quickly recover from an issue that seemed insurmountable before meeting Heather. She was optimistic about my progress and incredibly encouraging. Less than 6 months after my first session, I was able to have pain-free sex for the first time in my life! If you are suffering from vaginismus or any other pelvic floor issues, I highly recommend making an appointment with Heather and reading her book!

-- Amanda W., 2/15/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by S.B.

As someone who suffered the debilitating physical and emotional effects of vaginismus (as well as a complicated history of back injuries) for more than 15 years, I thought a "normal" life was just a fantasy. Then I found Heather.

Read more: Testimonial by S.B.

Testimonial by T.C.

While pregnant with my twins, Heather took care with keeping me on my feet and pain free. She saved my back, my sanity and the holidays! I would recommend her to every “mom” looking to stay on her feet during pregnancy and post-partum.

-- T.C.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get access to our free downloads and a 15% discount on Heather's book "Sex Without Pain"!
captcha 
I agree with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy policy