To tell if the pelvic floor is tight or weak, look for specific symptoms and perform self-assessments: Symptoms of a tight pelvic floor include:
- Chronic constipation and difficulty with bowel movements
- Pain during sex (penetration or orgasm)
- Difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
- Painful urination or frequent urgency
- Low back, pelvic, or tailbone pain
- Difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor muscles after contraction
Signs of a weak pelvic floor include:
- Bladder or bowel leakage, especially during coughing, sneezing, or lifting
- Difficulty holding back gas
- Pelvic heaviness or sensation of pelvic organ prolapse
- Decreased sexual sensation or difficulty achieving orgasm
Self-assessment (Kegel test):
- Sit on a chair with feet flat and try to contract pelvic floor muscles as if holding in urine or gas.
- If it's hard or impossible to contract, or if the muscles release quickly, this indicates weakness.
- If the contraction feels weak and it is hard to relax the muscles afterward, this suggests tightness.
Both conditions might coexist, and seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist is recommended for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment.