Ask the Expert: Is My Pelvic Floor Too Tight, or Too Weak?
The pelvic floor plays such an important role during pregnancy - and can be impacted by the body changes brought on by pregnancy. Pelvic floor physical therapists, massage therapists, other medical providers and doulas are bringing more and more awareness to the importance of tending to pelvic floor health in the perinatal period and beyond. Bridgetown Baby is pleased to partner with Mendwell Health, a Lake Oswego-based clinic specializing in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy to help patients improve pelvic function for a better quality of life.
Below, the team from Mendwell answers a common question and addresses some misconceptions about what “strong” means when it comes to your pelvic floor:
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sit at the bottom of the pelvis, supporting the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus and rectum. Like any muscle group, the pelvic floor muscles can become too tight or too weak, with each condition causing significant problems.
For many of us, the default assumption is that pelvic floor muscles are too weak, and that we need to do strengthening exercises (aka Kegels). On the contrary, most people’s pelvic floor muscles are too tight - the muscles need to relax and lengthen.
Curious to learn more? Join us for a facilitated discussion about pelvic health at the March 21st Nurturing Circle - click to join, Tuesday at 10:30am.
So, how can you tell if your pelvic floor is too tight? Below are a few signs of tight pelvic floor muscles:
Pain or discomfort during intercourse: One of the most common signs of a tight pelvic floor is pain or discomfort during intercourse. This pain can occur because the muscles are too tense and cannot relax during penetration.
Pain in the pelvic region: If you experience pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen, hips, or pelvic area, it could be a sign of tight pelvic floor muscles.
Urinary problems: When the pelvic floor muscles are too tight, they can affect the bladder's ability to function correctly. This can lead to urinary problems such as frequent urination, urgency, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Bowel problems: The pelvic floor muscles play an important role in bowel function, too. If they are too tight, they can cause constipation, difficulty passing stool, or incomplete emptying of the bowels.
Pain in the lower back: Tight pelvic floor muscles can also cause lower back pain, as they are connected to the muscles of the lower back.
Difficulty engaging in exercise: If you find it challenging to engage in exercises that involve the pelvic floor muscles, it could be a sign of tightness.
Being aware of the signs of a tight pelvic floor is crucial for maintaining good pelvic health. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, a trained pelvic floor physical therapist can assess your pelvic floor muscles and provide appropriate treatment. If you’d like to explore addressing specific symptoms or you’re curious about your pelvic health, our team at Mendwell Pelvic Health would be delighted to support you - it’s our passion to help patients improve pelvic function, relieve pain and get back to feeling their best!
Learn more about Mendwell’s team and trauma-informed approach at their website or on social: @mendwellhealth. And join us at 10:30am on Tuesday, March 21st for a facilitated discussion about pelvic health at the Nurturing Circle.
