Pelvic floor physiotherapy

I know exactly what you are talking about. Some days (especially after doing a shift or two at work) I find that my pelvic floor muscles are so tight I have problems relaxing fully and therefore can't do a full proper squeeze. It is very frustrating, but just have to keep trying and eventually after day or two my body must relax and I manage without any bother.

After a shift at work my pelvic floor feels like it is lying low and very tight, think that is the muscles that I haven't used for last 3 months tightening up. Normally would have a wee glass of wine if not working next day which helps me too relax; but not been drinking alcohol much since before op, been drinking lots of water and cranberry to avoid any irritation in bladder from urine.

Had a wedding aroubd 5 week post op and an afternoon tea 9/10 week post op for my sisters 70th birthday and When I did have wine (even if just one glass) , I feel it relaxed me too much and again can felt it next day as if the muscles on pelvic floor were too relaxed and were unable to support pelvic floor, so finding it difficult to get a happy medium.

If you haven't done these exercises before it does take a little while to perfect them. I have too take really deep breathes and fully empty my lungs to relax pelvic floor properly.

I hope that you eventually manage to master them. I'm sure there are helpful resources pinned on the homepage about kegals and who should or shouldn't do them and other exercises that can help; that reminds me that I am meant to be trying some of the others out myself.

Good luck and do persevere you will eventually master it.

Phyl x☺

You might want to read the article in the moderator's sticky post about when kegels are bad for you.  It is written by a pelvic floor PT and is very relevant to your situation.

From what I have read, and what I have experienced going to pelvic floor PT, if your pelvic floor muscles are too tight or in spasm you should NOT do kegels yet.  It makes it worse.  You have to learn to relax them first and get them out of spasm.  The "exercises" I was given to learn to relax my pelvic floor were breathing exercises.  I couldn't really feel what it was like to relax them until I got them out of spasm.  I would lay on my back with my knees bent (or elevated, that's ok too) and do deep diaphramatic breathing. Later I would also imagine my pelvic floor going down when I breathe in.  That would help me relax the muscles a bit.

My pelvic floor physical therapist did a lot of internal and external massage.  It is possible to try some of the internal stuff but I was never asked to.  I did try to copy the trigger point massages on my abdomen.  The breathing and relaxing were the big things, though.  That and not doing kegels.

I think it is normal for them to help you relax and then later add kegels if needed, but you have to get your pelvic floor out of spasm first.  Oh, if you want to google it the term I see used most of the time for your pelvic floor being tensed up all the time or in spasm is "pelvic floor dysfunction"

good luck to you.

Don't panic, you have had so many repose time that your PF is very weak now. I had anterior repair, and I also had my PF tight and weak at the same time.

The treatment that my physio did was the following:

- Internal and external massage once a week for 5 weeks. Not allowed to do kegel. Massage is very good to relax the muscle but also good to prevent adhesions and pain in intercourse.

- When the PF was fine, then we began with kegel. I could squeeze the PF but in cases like yours they use electrotherapy: they put inside your vagina an electrode and using a device, the muscle is induced to squeeze.

Btw how are you doing? I have a post repair scheduled for September... Have you noticed any difference?

Hugs!!🌞

Its great you have had an appointment with a Physio, as your treatment progresses you will be taught how to engage the muscles correctly, but also, and more importantly to see that the pelvic floor does not act in iscolation, it doesn't. Posture is a big deal here, walk tell, sit up straight, all of this helps the core to work with the pelvic floor to give you strength and control.

Both you and Phyl mention a 'tight' pelvic floor, and yes, sometimes kegels are not suitable, and it is relaxation that is needed. This is trick in itself, to leaft to relax the muscles sometimes need professional help and you are in a great place for that. A tight pelvic floor is a dysfunctional as a weak on because it 'locks'. . The work you do now will really help you moving forward to prevent further surgery and make sure this repair last you a lifetime.You have a positive attitude and that is half the challenge! Good for you.

Good luck. It would be helpful too if you could let us know how you get on with the Physio work, what happens - I know many women decline Physio appointments thinking that surgery is the last stage and they are 'fixed'. As many women will say, it is just the start of it and a Physio can help you tweak your lifestyle and any bad posture habits you may have to make you really strong.

Good luck, keep strong

S