What is Pelvic Floor Muscle Hypertonia? Symptoms Causes Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatments FAQ

Understanding Your Hypertonic Pelvic Floor

What is Pelvic Floor Muscle Hypertonia?

Hypertonic pelvic floor is a condition where the muscles in your pelvis are in a spasm. Pelvic Hypertonia in the pelvic floor is defined as tight muscle tone. Hypertonic pelvic floor muscles are short, spastic, and weak. Blood flow is restricted and oxygenation is reduced when muscles are in a hypertonic state. In fact, a 10% increase in pelvic floor muscle contraction can cause up to a 50% decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply. This local restriction in blood flow can create an acidic environment which stimulates an inflammatory cascade.

Hypertonic Pelvic Floor

Risk Factors

While there are certain pelvic floor conditions that can cause muscles to become hypertonic, there are other factors that can increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms.

  • icon

    Recurrent Infections (UTIs, yeast, etc)

  • icon

    Sexual or physical abuse

  • icon

    Injury

  • icon

    Stress, depression, and anxiety

  • icon

    Habitually holding stool or urine

  • icon

    Prolonged Sitting

  • icon

    Biking

Do You Have A Hypertonic Pelvic Floor?

Pelvic Floor Muscle Hypertonia Diagnosis

Diagnosing a hypertonic pelvic floor and the issues that are causing it requires an in-depth examination of both the nerves and muscles within the pelvis, learning of your medical history, and getting a full picture of your symptoms and lifestyle.

Here’s what you can expect when you are a patient at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine:

  • icon

    Step One – First, our providers will ask questions about your medical history and listen to your symptoms to get a full picture of what is going on with you.

  • icon

    Step Two – Next, an external exam of your hips, abdomen, and posterior sacrum.

  • icon

    Step Three – Next, your pelvic nerves are evaluated externally with a soft cotton tip.

  • icon

    Step Four – Next, with your consent, gel is placed on a gloved finger and an internal exam is performed to allow us to evaluate the nerves and muscles within the pelvis. There is no speculum required as we are evaluating the pelvic floor muscles and nerves not the organs.

  • icon

    Step Five – Sometimes patients will need Imaging to help us understand if there is an associated cause of the pelvic nerve and muscle pain and dysfunction found on exam.

  • icon

    Step Six – Oftentimes, treatment can be started the same day as there is no down time. Our patients have been suffering with pelvic pain symptoms for 6+ months. We like to get them on the road to feeling better as soon as we can as the longer the symptoms are present the harder it is for us to resolve them.

Request an Appointment

Schedule Your Appointment

Schedule an appointment with a pelvic pain specialist to find the source of your pain and start treatment.

Request an Appointment

In the News & From Our Providers