Pelvic floor tension myalgia

Causes of pelvic floor tension myalgia

Your pelvic floor muscles support your reproductive organs and bladder. They also assist with sexual function, urination, and passage of stools. Normally, these muscles tense and relax as needed. In some women, however, the pelvic floor muscles spasm or remain in a state of tension.

Factors that may contribute to the development of pelvic floor tension myalgia include:

  • History of “holding” urine or stool
  • Injury to the pelvic floor muscles during surgery or childbirth
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Endometriosis
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Poor posture
  • History of sexual abuse

Treatment of pelvic floor tension myalgia

Our doctors focus their treatment and prevention efforts on relieving pain and preventing muscle spasms. Pelvic floor myalgia treatment options include:

  • Physical therapy: Physical therapists can teach you strategies, such as Kegel exercises, to strengthen and relax your pelvic floor muscles. Our therapists also use heat, cold therapy, and massage to provide symptom relief.
  • Massage: Your provider applies pressure internally to the pelvic floor muscles, either through the vagina or rectum.
  • Medication: Medications taken by mouth, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, may ease symptoms. Injections of pain-relieving medication or botulinum toxin (Botox) may also provide relief.
  • Electrical stimulation: Some people find relief with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a treatment that delivers small electrical impulses to the nerves.
  • Biofeedback: This therapy uses visual or sound cues to help you learn to relax your pelvic floor muscles on demand.
  • Lifestyle modifications: Soaking in a hot bath or sitting on cushions may relieve pelvic tension and prevent spasms.

It may take some time to find the treatment, or combination of treatments, that is most effective. Our caring team at Dignity Health will work with to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and relieves your discomfort.

Dignity Health provides quality women’s health care to treat pelvic floor tension myalgia in Arizona, California, and Nevada.