Examples of Overactive/Hypertonic (Tight/Gripping) & Underactive/Hypotonic (Weak/Lax) Pelvic Floor Muscles*
Below are some examples of hypertonic and hypotonic pelvic floor symptoms. If you aren’t sure which you are, please schedule a free consultation on my contact page and we can chat.
*Hypertonic Pelvic Floor Muscles are not strong. They are held in a constantly contracted state which need to be released. Once released, they then need to be properly strengthened and balanced.
Overactive/Hypertonic Symptoms
- Urinary urgency, frequency and/or painful urination
- Urinary Incontinence, Incomplete Emptying of the Bladder
- Slow Flow of Urine, Hesitancy or Delayed Start of Urine Stream
- Pelvic Pain, Low Back Pain, Hip Pain, Tail bone Pain
- Painful Sex
- Vaginismus (the painful involuntary tensing or contracting of muscles around the vagina)
- Constipation, Incomplete Emptying of the Bowels
- Straining When Emptying the Bowels
Underactive/Weak/Hypotonic Symptoms
- A Feeling of Pressure and/or Heaviness in the Vagina
- Vaginal Bleeding, Outside of Menstruation
- Widened Vaginal Walls (Tampons Don’t Stay In Place)
- Discomfort/Pain During Sex and/or Loss of Feeling or Tightness When Having Sex
- Unexplained Pelvic, Hip, Leg or Lower Back Pain
- Urinary Stress Incontinence – Leaking When You Cough, Sneeze, Laugh, Exercise or Lift Heavy Objects
- A Frequent Need to Urinate and/or Difficulty Passing Urine
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse (bladder, uterus or rectum falling into vagina)
- A Dragging Feeling That Something Is Going To Fall Out (Usually Associated With A Pelvic Organ Prolapse)
- Noticeable Tissue Protruding from The Vagina, That May Also Be Painful and Bleed (Usually Associated with a Pelvic Organ Prolapse)