You are probably reading this because you have a feeling you might have pelvic floor dysfunction, or maybe you are just trying to find out what’s going on with you (insert frantic googling, we have all been there).
Welcome, you are not alone.
Most people that end up in this space live with hypertonic (overly tight) pelvic floor dysfunction, or a combination of that and endometriosis, lichen sclerosus or interstitial cystitis. So let’s dive into it!
I get this question a lot from the people in my community:
How do I know if I have hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction?
Your pelvic floor muscles want to be able to contract and relax, but when you live with hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction your pelvic floor muscles are overactive, they are high tone, they have a hard time relaxing, and this can result in pain and discomfort.
Here are some signs that you may be living with hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction: Urinary urgency Incomplete emptying of bladder Constipation Hip pain Low back pain Pain with insertion (intercourse, finger, tampon) Jaw pain
But The Number One Way to find out if you live with pelvic floor dysfunction:
Go see a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
If you go see a pelvic physio because you have pain with intercourse, or perhaps you have bladder issues, they will do an assessment on you externally, and internally (optional), to get an understanding of what is going on with you. Once they have established that you have pelvic floor dysfunction, and that doesn't have to hypertonic, they will provide you with tools - exercises, dilators, wands - to help with your pain or discomfort.
And once you’ve seen them, you can come and see me! I teach Pelvic Floor Yoga to people who live with hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction; I guide them through practices of movement, breathwork and body awareness to ease and manage their pain. Learning how to relax and stretch the pelvic floor muscles themselves, but also other parts of your body, while incorporating body awareness practices will help you with your pain. You can check out the Pelvic Health Yoga membership here. Most of my students come work with me because they experience pain during sex, they have trouble sleeping because of stress due to their condition, or because they just want to wake up the next morning not experiencing pain!
If you want to learn more about how Pelvic Floor Yoga can help you, fill out this form and I will get back to you.
Penny P
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