Overactive Pelvic Floor: What You Need to Know

abeskaw5
May 30
5 min read

When we talk about pelvic floor dysfunction, most people think of a weak pelvic floor, but did you know that an overactive pelvic floor can be just as problematic?

An overactive pelvic floor occurs when the muscles of the pelvic floor are excessively tight or overactive.

This can lead to a range of uncomfortable and even debilitating symptoms. While it might seem less common than a weak pelvic floor, it’s more prevalent than most people realize and can significantly affect your quality of life.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into what causes an overactive pelvic floor, the symptoms to look out for, and the best ways to treat it.

What is an Overactive Pelvic Floor?

Your pelvic floor is made up of a group of muscles and tissues that support your bladder, bowel, and for women, the uterus, and for men, the prostate.

These muscles should be able to relax and contract appropriately, allowing you to control bladder and bowel movements, as well as maintain healthy sexual function.

When the pelvic floor muscles become overactive, they remain too tight or constantly contracted, making it difficult for you to fully relax these muscles. This leads to a variety of symptoms, some of which can overlap with other conditions, making it harder to pinpoint the issue.

Common Symptoms of an Overactive Pelvic Floor

An overactive pelvic floor can present itself through several symptoms, many of which may be misdiagnosed or confused with other conditions.

Some common symptoms include:

1. Pelvic Pain or Discomfort

You may experience chronic pelvic pain, which can be constant or flare up during certain activities like exercise, intercourse, or even sitting for long periods of time.
Painful urination or discomfort in the pelvic area when trying to empty your bladder can also occur.

2. Urinary Issues

Frequent Urination: You may feel the urge to urinate often, even if you haven’t had much to drink.
Inability to Fully Empty Your Bladder: The pelvic floor muscles may be so tight that they make it difficult for you to fully empty your bladder when you go to the bathroom.
Urgency: You might feel a sudden, strong urge to urinate that you can’t control.

3. Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)

Tightness in the pelvic floor muscles can make sexual activity uncomfortable or even painful. This can affect both men and women and can result in a decrease in libido and intimacy issues.

4. Constipation

An overactive pelvic floor can lead to difficulty having bowel movements. If the pelvic floor muscles are too tight, they may hinder the relaxation needed for normal bowel movements, resulting in constipation.

5. Lower Back, Hip, or Groin Pain

Tight pelvic floor muscles can radiate discomfort to the lower back, hips, or groin, leading to referred pain in these areas.

6. Increased Tension or Stress

An overactive pelvic floor is often linked with increased muscle tension, which can be exacerbated by emotional stress or anxiety. Your body may be in a constant state of heightened tension, which further aggravates the pelvic floor muscles.

What Causes an Overactive Pelvic Floor?

Several factors can contribute to the development of an overactive pelvic floor:

1. Chronic Stress and Anxiety

Mental and emotional stress is a significant contributor to pelvic floor tension. When you’re stressed, your body’s natural response is to tighten muscles, and this includes the pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this tension can lead to chronic tightness and overactivity.

2. Childbirth Trauma

After childbirth, especially if there’s been trauma or tearing in the pelvic area, the pelvic floor muscles may become tight as a protective response. This tightness can persist if not addressed, leading to an overactive pelvic floor.

3. Posture and Movement Dysfunction

Poor posture and improper movement patterns can strain the pelvic floor. If your body compensates for weak core muscles or poor alignment, the pelvic floor muscles may tighten to make up for it.

4. Pelvic Floor Injury or Trauma

Any injury or surgical procedure in the pelvic area can lead to tension and scar tissue, which may cause the muscles to tighten as part of the healing process.

5. High-Impact Exercise or Lifting

Intense physical activity, such as high-impact exercise or heavy lifting, can contribute to pelvic floor overactivity, particularly if proper core engagement is not maintained during these activities.

Treatment for an Overactive Pelvic Floor

The good news is that overactive pelvic floor muscles can be treated with a combination of therapies aimed at relaxing and restoring balance to the pelvic area.

Here’s how to address this issue:

1. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A pelvic floor physical therapist specializes in treating overactive pelvic floor muscles. Through manual therapy, stretching, and muscle relaxation techniques, they can help you learn how to properly relax and release tension in your pelvic floor muscles.

Exercises to relax the pelvic floor might include:

Deep diaphragmatic breathing: Breathing deeply to release tension in the pelvic area.
Pelvic floor relaxation exercises: Teaching you how to actively relax the muscles through biofeedback or manual techniques.
Gentle stretches: Releasing tightness through movements that encourage pelvic mobility and flexibility.

2. Breathwork

Learning how to breathe deeply and properly can help relax the pelvic floor muscles. Diaphragmatic breathing (also known as belly breathing) engages the diaphragm, which can help reduce pelvic floor tension and encourage muscle relaxation.

3. Stress Management

Since stress is a major contributor to pelvic floor tension, incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily routine can be beneficial. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help reduce overall stress and prevent further tightening of the pelvic floor muscles.

4. Postural Training and Movement Re-education

A physical therapist can help you improve your posture and movement patterns, particularly when it comes to exercises or daily activities that may be contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction.

5. Education

Understanding how to properly engage and relax the pelvic floor muscles is essential for long-term success. Educating yourself on the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor can empower you to manage your symptoms more effectively.

Conclusion

An overactive pelvic floor is a condition that many people suffer from in silence, often without realizing that the pelvic floor muscles are the root cause of their symptoms. If you're experiencing pelvic pain, urinary issues, sexual dysfunction, or constipation, it could be due to an overactive pelvic floor.

The good news is that pelvic floor dysfunction can be treated, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. Seeking professional help from a pelvic floor physical therapist can help you relax these muscles, improve your symptoms, and get you back to living life without discomfort.

At Chippewa Valley Movement, we specialize in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, including overactive pelvic floor issues. Our movement-based approach focuses on restoring balance, relieving tension, and improving your pelvic health.

If you’re struggling with pelvic floor symptoms, don’t wait any longer.

👉 Click here to request a Free Discovery Visit and take the first step toward feeling better!