Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasm Specialist in NYC

Maiden Lane Medical

Pelvic floor muscle spasms are a common yet underdiagnosed condition affecting many women around the world. Often intertwined with weak pelvic floor muscles, pelvic floor dysfunction, and pelvic floor disorders, these spasms can lead to various debilitating symptoms, including chronic pelvic pain, discomfort, urinary urgency, and sexual dysfunction.

At Maiden Lane Medical, we invite you to take the first step toward reclaiming your pelvic health. Contact us today to learn more about pelvic floor muscle spasms and explore the personalized treatment options available to you.

Multi-Specialty Group Practice located in New York, NY

Recognized as a leader in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle spasms, Maiden Lane Medical helps women in the greater New York, NY area understand the issues they’re experiencing with their pelvic floor muscles so they can get the most appropriate care for long-term relief.

“My Doctor is patient, knowledgeable, and kind. She takes the time to understand my personal needs and carefully explains the complicated medical lingo most doctors gloss over.”

SARAH M.

What is a Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasm?

Pelvic floor muscles have two important functions. They provide physical support to the pelvic viscera and a constrictor mechanism to the anal canal, vagina, and urethra. Newer imaging and physiological studies strongly suggest that these two functions of the pelvic floor are quite distinct and are likely related to different components of the pelvic floor muscles.

What Problems Are Caused by Pelvic Floor Spasms?

When there is dysfunction or malfunction of the pelvic floor muscles, the result can be dysfunction or malfunction of the critical functions provided by the pelvic floor.

Some of the problems that can occur due to a pelvic floor spasm include the following:

Vaginal Problems – Namely, there can be painful intercourse (dyspareunia), mainly at the entrance to the vagina. This can lead to further problems, such as vaginal spasms and persistent vaginal entrance pain from the resulting neurologic hypersensitivity.
Urinary Problems – There can be sensations of the need to urinate frequently, urgently, or feelings of incomplete bladder emptying. These problems must be distinguished from a problem inside the bladder. This can easily be done with urodynamic testing and a comprehensive exam by an expert in the area.
Defecatory Problems (bowel movement problems) – There can be a feeling of constantly needing to move the bowels and incomplete bowel emptying. There can also be a levator-sphincter dyssynergia. This is when the pelvic floor contracts to move the bowels out, but the anal sphincter does not open properly.

What is the Cause of Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasms?

Pelvic floor muscle spasms can be either primary (there is no underlying cause) or secondary (there is an identifiable underlying cause). When there are primary pelvic muscle spasms, there is usually a long history of problems such as painful intercourse, urinary problems, and constipation. This usually starts in the teen years but certainly may occur in younger girls.

When the pelvic floor muscle spasm is secondary, it is usually due to some type of chronic inflammatory problem. The inflammation can come from repeated urinary tract infections (UTI), repeated vaginal infections such as yeast and bacterial vaginosis, interstitial cystitis, or very commonly from underlying endometriosis which is a disease with a high degree of inflammation.

What are the Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Muscle Spasms?

There are two main ways to treat pelvic floor muscle spasms.

First, physical therapy by a trained expert can work over a long period of time. Pelvic floor physical therapy will include internal vaginal manipulation, a well-designed home exercise program, vaginal dilators, and a biofeedback program.

Often, it is recommended that patients use diazepam (vaginal suppositories) to decrease the overall muscle spasm when there is daily discomfort and/or urinary symptoms associated with the pelvic floor muscle spasm.

The second main treatment for pelvic floor muscle spasms is the use of botulinum toxin A (Botox). This is the same botox that is used for muscle spasms in other parts of the body and cosmetic purposes, except the pelvic floor muscles are very large muscles relative to the facial muscles, so much higher doses are needed.

The benefits of botox therapy are that it works quickly and lasts for a long time. Typically, fewer than 5% of patients need a repeat injection. Botox works by blocking the communication between the nerve and the muscle. Thus, it gives time for both nerve and muscle to heal from the hyperactivity. After 8-10 months have passed and the muscle tone returns to normal (or even hypertonic), the pain does not return.

Side effects of botox in the pelvic floor are uncommon (<5%) but can be associated with fecal urgency and incontinence.

Our success rate with botox therapy is approximately 95%. That means that 95% of patients will achieve greater than 75% relief.

Schedule a Consultation with Maiden Lane Medical Today!

At Maiden Lane Medical, we are committed to providing comprehensive care for pelvic floor muscle spasms, including those related to pelvic surgery. Take control of your pelvic health today by scheduling a consultation with our experienced team.

Let us help you to enjoy optimal well-being and regain your quality of life. Book an appointment today!