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Understanding And Treating Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Disorder
Are you feeling tightness or discomfort in your pelvis? Believe us, we've been there. And it's more common than you think.
Hypertonic pelvic floor occurs when pelvic floor muscles become too tight (almost like a cramp) and you just can't get them to relax. This can cause a domino effect of symptoms, leading to general pain, painful intercourse, difficulty going to the bathroom, and more.
Let's take a look at the most common causes, symptoms, and potential treatments you need to know about.
Getting To The Bottom Of Things: What Causes Hypertonic Pelvic Floor?
Understanding the root cause of hypertonic pelvic floor is the first step to finding effective and long-lasting relief. Let's take a look at the factors that could be at play here to help you get a better understanding of what potential triggers you may be facing.
Physical causes
Our bodies can react to life events in unexpected ways. And when this happens, it can be tricky to pinpoint the cause.
When it comes to physical causes of hypertonic pelvic floor there are three main reasons:
Injuries to the pelvic area.
Surgeries that may affect the pelvic muscles.
Childbirth (especially if it's prolonged).
Although the natural tensing of the pelvic muscles is your body's way of protecting itself, it can leave you feeling uncomfortable - and unsure of what to do next. Don't worry, though, we've got you covered there, too (but more on that later...).
Lifestyle causes
Life has a funny way of catching up to us, doesn't it? Our habits and daily routines can play a pretty big role in our pelvic floor health.
Perhaps you're a gym enthusiast who enjoys high-intensity workouts. Or maybe you often find yourself stuck in a chair for hours on end. Either way, your lifestyle can affect the tension of your pelvic muscles.
The most common lifestyle reasons for hypertonic pelvic floor muscles include:
Too much or too frequent high-impact exercise.
Prolonged sitting with poor posture.
Core-intensive workouts.
A sedentary lifestyle.
Luckily, small changes like gentle stretches or taking regular breaks from sitting can make a world of difference. It can ease pelvic pain and help soothe the muscles.
Mental stress
Stress is the silent culprit behind so many of our health woes. But did you know that mental stress can manifest physically as well?
This can cause the muscles in your body to tighten up, including your pelvic floor muscles. It's basically like our bodies are holding onto tension without us even realising it.
Typically, the main mental causes of hypertonic pelvic floor are:
Anxiety
Chronic stress
Emotional trauma
But there is a silver lining.
By learning to manage stress through mindfulness techniques and relaxation exercises, you can help release the tension in your hip and pelvic muscles.
Recognising The Signs And Symptoms Of Hypertonic Pelvic Floor
We're all familiar with that niggling feeling we get when we know something isn't quite right with our bodies. But what about when we're experiencing symptoms that we just can't ignore?
Hypertonic pelvic floor can be uncomfortable, and the symptoms may feel embarrassing at times. Still, it's important to remember that you aren't alone - there's someone out there who feels the same way, too.
Knowing exactly what to look out for when it comes to a hypertonic pelvic floor can help you seek a diagnosis early. This means less time with pain and discomfort, and more time enjoying your life without worry!
If you suspect you may have a hypertonic pelvic floor, look out for some of these common symptoms:
Chronic pain: Constant pelvic or anal pain or discomfort is common in this disorder. It usually feels like a dull, aching sensation.
Painful sex: Dyspareunia, or pain during sex, can be one of the most obvious signs that your pelvic floor muscles are more tense than usual. This could be a tell-tale sign of hypertonic pelvic floor.
Bowel movement issues: If you have any difficulty starting or finishing bowel movements (and it's a recurring issue), this may be a symptom. You could also have symptoms that mimic irritable bowel syndrome.
Urinary symptoms: Do you constantly feel like you need to run to the bathroom? Or experiencing pain when passing urine? Or maybe you're going more often than usual because your 'flow' is interrupted. Or maybe you’ve experienced bladder leaks. Either way, this could be because of tensed pelvic floor muscles. And if it isn't because of tensed muscles (but due to stress incontinence or overactive bladder), you may want to consider taking bladder care supplements to help you regain control of your flow.
Lower back pain: Unexplained lower back pain could be linked to pelvic floor tension. This is especially true when it's coupled with other symptoms.
You should always listen to your body's signals. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek out support from a qualified healthcare professional. It's the easiest way to have hypertonic pelvic floor diagnosed.
Finding Relief With Treatment Options For Hypertonic Pelvic Floor
In your journey towards total relief from those pesky overactive pelvic floor muscles, you can rest easy. That's because several treatments are available to help you relax (literally) and live pain and discomfort-free.
Physical therapy
One of the easiest ways to relieve pelvic pain is to work with a physiotherapist and learn specific pelvic floor exercises. These will help you relax and stretch the pelvic floor muscles to release built-up tension. It can also strengthen the muscles to prevent the same issue from happening in the future.
Let's be honest - strengthening your pelvic floor is always a positive. It can help you prevent leaks, avoid the need for incontinence pants, assist you in regaining bladder control, and so much more.
There are also techniques like massage and pressure point release. Not only will these relax the muscles, but they can also help ease unexpected pain you may be experiencing.
Medications
Medications can be used to support with the symptoms of a hypertonic pelvic floor and can include painkillers and local anaesthetics to support with pain, antidepressants which can be helpful for both chronic pain and anxiety or in some cases a muscle relaxant to support pelvic floor relaxation.
However, while prescribed medication can be helpful for some people it is most effective when combined with physiotherapy and relaxation techniques.
Alternative therapies
When the main cause of hypertonic pelvic floor is stress, things like yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques can help. These relax your entire body (including your pelvic area), and can relieve the tension.
Alternatively, acupuncture can sometimes work wonders to release stress from your body. And, once that stress is released, you can kiss your pesky pelvic tension goodbye.
FAQs
How can I tell if my pelvic floor exercises are making my condition worse?
It's always important to listen to your body. So, if you're practising pelvic floor exercises and feel as though the tension is getting worse, it's best to stop them altogether. You still need to consult a doctor, though, to find an alternate solution to the problem.
Can having sex worsen hypertonic pelvic floor symptoms?
Sex can be really painful when you have a hypertonic pelvic floor. And if that's what you're experiencing, it may be time to press pause on penetrative sexual activity for a little while until you get help from a health professional to treat the cause of your pain. Remember other forms of intimacy can still be enjoyed!
Once you've gone through the treatment, though, you can enjoy a happy and pain-free sex life.
Can hypertonic pelvic floor issues resolve on their own without treatment?
Although you may get temporary relief from pelvic floor pain without treatment, the underlying cause isn't likely to go away overnight. And you definitely don't want to live with constant discomfort, right?
For this reason, it's always best to consult your doctor on how to best treat your symptoms and address the root cause of the problem.
Final Thoughts
Although pelvic pain can be embarrassing to talk about, it definitely shouldn't be. While you may feel alone or a little shy to mention your problem to a doctor, it's the only way you're going to find relief.
So shake off those nasty thoughts of shame and embarrassment, because it's time to reclaim your body and get the relief you deserve.
References
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