Can Stress Impact the Pelvic Floor?

We all know that long term stress can impact our bodies in a negative way. Stress can lead to long term issues when it comes to our mental health with anxiety and depression. It can also impact our physical health such as cardiovascular issues.

But did you know that long term stress can also impact your pelvic floor health? When you are chronically stressed, you begin to hold tension in your body. This might look like tightening your shoulders or your jaw. You often will begin to hold this tension in other areas of the body, including your pelvic floor.

Tension in the pelvic floor might look like frequency of urination, urinary urgency, pain with intercourse, and pelvic pain. Often, there is also tension in the surrounding areas such as the hips and lower back.

Addressing not only the physical muscle tension in the pelvic floor and surrounding areas, as well as lifestyle and stress management are important components of addressing chronic stress and muscle tension in the body.

It is important to get to the root of the issue and address not just the physical but also the mental and emotional aspects of stress and muscle tension.

If you find that you are having some of these pelvic floor symptoms, its time to see a Pelvic PT. I am happy to help!