If you are struggling to understand the differences between having a tight versus weak pelvic floor, you are not alone. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that can’t be seen, lie deep in our bodies and most people have difficulty feeling and even picturing in their minds.
So, here is a list of similarities and differences that might help you understand your pelvic floor better.
Similarities:
- Both can cause pelvic floor dysfunction: Whether your pelvic floor muscles are too tight or too weak, they can’t function properly, leading to problems like incontinence, pain, and difficulty with elimination.
- Symptoms can overlap: Some symptoms, like pelvic pain and difficulty emptying the bladder, can occur with both tight and weak pelvic floors.
- Can coexist: It’s also possible to have both a weak and tight pelvic floor in different areas or muscles.
Differences:
- Muscle tone: The main difference is in the muscle tone. A tight pelvic floor has muscles that are constantly contracted. A weak pelvic floor has muscles that lack strength and struggle to contract.
- Symptoms: Tight pelvic floor often leads to problems like painful intercourse, constipation, and difficulty relaxing the bladder. Weak pelvic floor is more likely to cause issues like urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Again, symptoms can be very confusing as you can still experience urinary incontinence with a tight pelvic floor for example.
- Treatment: The treatment approaches differ. Tight pelvic floor benefits from stretching, relaxation techniques and internal massage, while a weak pelvic floor needs toning up.
Unfortunately, there aren’t readily available statistics on the prevalence of weak versus tight pelvic floor. This is likely because pelvic floor dysfunction is a general term encompassing a variety of conditions. Diagnosing the specific type (weak or tight) can be challenging. Additionally, many people may experience symptoms but not seek medical attention.
However, research suggests that pelvic floor dysfunction is quite common. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Urology found that around 25% of women experience at least one symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction.
If you are willing to learn more about your pelvic floor and your body in general, come and join me in the Yoga for pelvic floor health workshops. We will be exploring our pelvic floors in connection to our breath and the muscles of the legs. You will learn more about its anatomy and try techniques to address both tightness and weakness.
Learn more about the course and join the wait list
