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Pelvic Pain Explained: When It’s Not a UTI but Feels Like One

Categories: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Are You Suffering from UTI-Like Symptoms?

Picture this: your pelvic floor is like a team of muscles that work hard behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly in your body, like helping you go to the bathroom and keeping you comfortable when you sit or stand. But sometimes, these muscles can get a bit too tense, causing some issues you might not expect when you are completing your everyday activities. So, let’s chat about pelvic floor tension – what it is, why it happens, and how it can affect things like urinary health.

What is Pelvic Floor Tension or Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic floor tension happens when the muscles in the lower part of your body, around your pelvis, get too tense. It’s normal for muscles to tense up a bit sometimes, but when it happens too much, it can cause problems such as pelvic pain or urinary incontinence..

There are a few reasons why pelvic floor tension might occur:

  • Mental Health: When you’re feeling worried or anxious, your body can tense up, including the muscles in your pelvic floor. Even a bad memory or bad experience can tense these muscles
  • Posture: Sitting or standing in a slouched position for a long time can put too much pressure on those muscles, making them tense and uncomfortable.
  • Repetitive Movements: If you do activities that strain your pelvic floor muscles a lot, like lifting heavy things or doing intense exercises, they might get too tense.
  • Past Injuries: If you’ve had any injuries or surgeries around your pelvis before, those muscles might still be tense because of it.

Tense Muscles and UTI-Like Symptoms

Urinary tract infections are when bacteria sneak into the urinary tract and cause trouble. Your urinary tract includes your bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. When bacteria get into any part of this system, it can make you feel uncomfortable and sometimes even hurt when you pee or have to pee more frequently. UTIs are pretty common, and they can happen to anyone, but they’re usually easy to treat with medicine from the doctor. If you have these symptoms seek treatment from a doctor. 

What Are UTI-Like Symptoms and What Does Diagnosis Look Like

Below is a list of how one would go through a diagnosis of a UTI:

  • 1
    Recognizing Symptoms: Symptoms of a UTI may include a frequent and urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic region.
  • 2
    Consulting a Healthcare Provider: If you experience symptoms suggestive of a UTI, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. This may be a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or urologist.
  • 3
    Medical History and Physical Examination: During the appointment, the healthcare provider will ask about your medical history, including any previous UTIs or urinary issues. They may also perform a physical examination to check for signs of infection.
  • 4
    Urine Sample Collection: To confirm the diagnosis of a UTI, the healthcare provider will typically request a urine sample for analysis. This may involve providing a clean-catch urine sample or using a sterile catheter to collect urine directly from the bladder.
  • 5
    Urine Culture and Analysis: The urine sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis, where it is examined for the presence of bacteria and other signs of infection. In some cases, a urine culture may also be performed to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection and determine which antibiotics are most effective for treatment.

  • 6
     Diagnosis and Treatment: Based on the results of the urine analysis and culture, the healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of a UTI and prescribe appropriate treatment, typically antibiotics, to eliminate the infection.

Overall, the process of diagnosing a UTI involves a combination of clinical evaluation, urine sample analysis, and laboratory testing to accurately identify and treat the infection.

If you chronically have symptoms of UTIs but have negative cultures, then ask your doctor about pelvic floor therapy! When your pelvic floor muscles are too tense, they can stop pee from coming out properly. This can leave some pee behind in your bladder, which can make it easier for bacteria to grow and cause a UTI.

Dealing with Pelvic Floor Tension and UTIs: What To Do

If you’re having problems with your pelvic floor muscles and UTI-like symptoms, there are some things you can try to help:

  • 1
    Seek a pelvic floor therapist for an internal assessment of the pelvic floor muscles. This can show where you are holding tension in the pelvic floor.
  • 2
    Relaxation Techniques: Doing things like yoga, deep breathing, or meditation can help you feel less stressed, which might help your muscles relax.
  • 3
    Sitting Up Straight: Paying attention to your posture and not slouching can take some pressure off your pelvic floor muscles.
  • 4
    Hydration Habits: Keeping hydrated and peeing regularly can help flush out any bacteria and prevent UTIs and also keep your urine from being so concentrated it irritates the lining of the bladder.

Concluding Thoughts on UTI Symptoms & a Tense Pelvic Floor

Overall, understanding pelvic floor tension is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being. When the muscles in the pelvic floor become too tense, it can lead to discomfort and various health issues, including UTIs or UTI-like symptoms.

Identifying the factors that contribute to pelvic floor tension, such as stress, poor posture, repetitive movements, past injuries, and emotional stressors, empowers individuals to take proactive steps in managing their pelvic health.

The link between pelvic floor tension and UTIs highlights the importance of addressing muscle tightness to promote urinary wellness. Tight pelvic floor muscles can interfere with normal urination, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth and increasing the risk of UTIs.

By incorporating strategies like seeking knowledgeable medical professionals, completing relaxation techniques, maintaining good posture, and staying hydrated, individuals can effectively manage pelvic floor tension and reduce the likelihood of UTIs.

Moreover, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being underscores the holistic approach necessary for pelvic health. Stress management techniques, such as yoga, and deep breathing exercises, not only help relax the tension in the muscles but also promote overall relaxation and emotional balance, contributing to pelvic health.

Ultimately, prioritizing pelvic health involves listening to the body, seeking support when needed, and adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors.

By cultivating awareness and implementing proactive measures, individuals can nurture a healthy pelvic floor, minimize discomfort, and enjoy improved urinary function and overall quality of life.

Remember, your pelvic health matters, so take care of yourself and seek assistance if you encounter any concerns.

If you feel like this article resonated with you, then feel free to reach out to our team at Back in Motion Physical Therapy. We would be honored to walk with you through your pelvic health journey and see if we can help you with our urinary incontinence treatment in Fort Myers.

About the Author: Dr. Vanessa

Dr. Vanessa
Dr. Vanessa Is SWFL's Leading Pelvic Floor Therapist. Each And Every Week She Helps Her Patients Return To Living An Active And Pain-Free Life By Diagnosing And Treating Some Of The Most Complicated & Personal Matters Patients Deal With.
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