Vaginismus/hypertonic pelvic floor and IBS-C

[Lulu1802]

Hi all. I have a hypertonic pelvic floor (which causes my vaginismus) and I also have IBS-C, I have done pelvic floor therapy and am doing well with dilators, but my IBS-C is causing my progress to decline significantly. I do not know how to go about this, and my PCP was no help. Does anyone else struggle with the two? Hypertonic pelvic floor and IBS-C both effect each other and progressing with one is difficult enough.

[mazemelissa]

Hi Lulu1802,

I do see patients complain of both constipation and vaginismus secondary to pelvic floor hypertonicity.

The muscles of the pelvic floor support many organs and structures. So when they are chronically tense, we can see bowel, bladder and gynecological issues.

If you haven’t tried physical therapy, I would strongly recommend that you seek out a pelvic floor PT to help you.

Diazepam suppositories might also be helpful.

There is an online program called PelvicSense that is created by a PT that is also really great.

Melissa