Muscle spasms that occur in your pelvic floor can be uncomfortable and frustrating! They can lead to pain that takes over the pelvic area, including the vagina and the lower back.
In lots of cases, pelvic floor spasms are a result of a pelvic floor dysfunction that is known as vaginismus.
We’re aware that pelvic floor spasms can be very frustrating, so we’re here to help. If you’re wondering what pelvic floor spasms feel like, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve compiled an ultimate guide to pelvic floor spasms, including what they feel like and how to treat them! Let’s dive in.
What Is A Pelvic Floor Spasm?
Pelvic floor spasms are very common, and they are experienced by many people. They are a common cause of pelvic pain, and they are a result of contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that happen involuntarily.
Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, rectum, uterus, and vagina.
When you experience a spasm, it will feel very similar to a cramp that you may experience in your foot or leg, and it can be very painful.
These spasms are caused by the pelvic floor muscles being overworked and tight.
Symptoms Of Pelvic Floor Spasms: What They Feel Like
There are lots of different symptoms associated with these spasms, and understanding what they feel like can help you to understand what you are experiencing.
If you are having a pelvic floor spasm, the symptoms include:
Pain in the pelvic area, back, and abdomen that is ongoing
Pain or burning during urination
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination or a frequent need to urinate
Constipation
Painful sex
These symptoms are very similar to those of a Urinary Tract Infection. However, if you are experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, tests will not pick up any infections.
If you experience some of the symptoms above chronically, then it is likely that you are experiencing pelvic floor spasms.
What Causes Pelvic Floor Spasms?
There are a few different things that may have caused you to experience some pelvic floor disorders.
These include:
Vaginal childbirth
Having a perineal cut during childbirth
High-impact activity and exercise
Surgery
Some other medical issues including endometriosis
Vaginismus (a psychological factor)
How Can Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Be Treated?
There are a few easy ways to manage the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. These include:
Dilation Therapy
To relax the muscles in your vagina and pelvis, you can try vaginal dilation therapy. This may sound daunting, but it isn’t as scary as you might think!
This therapy uses a silicone vaginal dilator which gently stretches the area and relaxes your pelvic muscles. This can help with the pain associated with pelvic floor spasms as it will help the muscles to relax.
Control Penetration During Sex
Pelvic floor spasms can be very painful during sex. You can control how deep you would like your partner to go, and this will help to ease the pain.
Soothe The Pain
When you are experiencing pain as a result of a pelvic floor spasm, you may want to apply a hot water bottle to the area to ease the pain.
During sex, you can also use soothing temperature therapy to help to relax the area and improve the flexibility of the muscles.
Seeking Help For Pelvic Floor Spasms
If you are experiencing pelvic floor spasms and pain, you should speak with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist who can provide physical therapy to help your muscles to work properly again.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction In Men
Pelvic floor dysfunction is different in both men and women. Every year, lots of men around the world experience pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor dysfunction in men will affect urination and sex. It can cause any of the following:
Male Urinary Dysfunction
This can involve urine leaking after peeing, bladder and bowel issues, and having to run to the bathroom.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is when you can’t get or maintain an erection during sex. In some cases, muscle tension can be the cause of this, however, many things can affect erectile dysfunction.
Prostatitis
Pelvic floor dysfunction in men can look like prostatitis. This is an inflammation of the prostate. It can be caused by trauma to the nervous system, bacteria, or sexually transmitted infections.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction In Women
Pelvic floor dysfunction can come in the way of a woman’s reproductive health. This can impact the vagina and uterus.
This dysfunction is very different from pelvic organ prolapse which happens when the muscles in your pelvis become stretched out. This can cause your organs to stick out of the vagina, requiring you to push them back inside.
What Makes Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Worse?
It can take a long time for the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction to improve with therapy. However, it is important that you continue with this treatment and don’t give up.
If you forget to take your medication or undergo therapy, this will set you back and can make the symptoms worse.
Any activity that causes pelvic floor spasms to get worse can cause these symptoms to worsen. For example, repetitive jumping and heavy weightlifting can make the symptoms worse.
If you experience constipation, you should watch your diet and consult a doctor. It is very important to drink lots of water and eat healthily if you want your symptoms to improve.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! If you’ve been wondering if that pain you’ve been experiencing is a pelvic floor spasm, you should now have a deeper understanding of what they feel like and how to ease the pain.
We’ve compiled an ultimate guide to pelvic pain to help you to feel as comfortable as possible.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
