Overactive pelvic floor muscles

[AnxiousFTM]

After the birth of my daughter 22 months ago, I was diagnosed with a grade 1 bladder prolapse and referred to a NHS physio, had a few appointments where she basically told me to work on my pelvic floor exercises and sent me away. Spent months of lockdown working on these and using a kegal8 with no improvement so finally plucked up the courage to see a womens health physio privately who diagnosed overactive pelvic floor muscles due to the birth trauma (3rd degree tear, forceps). We are currently working on pelvic floor relaxation and breathing (no pelvic floor strengthening at the moment) along with core strengthening but I’m starting to lose hope that I will ever see any improvement. Luckily I don’t have any incontinence issues but am so fed up with the uncomfortable heavy feeling.
Just wondering for anyone else with an overactive pelvic floor if you saw any improvement seeing a womens health physio and how long it took? Thanks in advance

Hi @AnxiousFTM I’ve got the exact same problem as yourself. I’ve been seeing a private physio for three months now, Ive been focusing on just the relaxation and breathing exercises for now and it does seem to be improving symptoms but very slowly. Just wondering how your getting on?

I am seeing a womens physio due to bladder pain/prolapse and she said I have overactive pelvic floor. She does internal massage and gave me breathing techniques. I do Pilates at beginner level which she said might help. No change so far - still getting flare ups of pelvic pain. Vagifem pessaries helped with this but hasn't cured it. I am too squeamish to do the muscle massage on myself but if you could do it, it might help.

For the dragging feeling, maybe you could ask for a pelvic ring

Mine basically looks like a big curtain ring and I pop it up there when I feel like I need a bit of support, eg for running and at certain times of the month

I also have the vagifem pessary which help

Like you, I get really fed up with it sometimes! Would be so nice just not to have to think about my vagina every day!