{"id":63801,"date":"2026-05-29T13:16:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:16:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/?p=63801"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:46:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:46:26","slug":"how-stress-affects-your-pelvic-floor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/how-stress-affects-your-pelvic-floor\/","title":{"rendered":"how stress affects your pelvic floor (and what you can do about it)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"63801\" class=\"elementor elementor-63801\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b0608fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b0608fb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0752956\" data-id=\"0752956\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2de5029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2de5029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Most of us know, in a general way, that stress lives in the body. We feel it in the shoulders that creep up toward the ears, the jaw that stays clenched long after the day is done, the stomach that tightens when something goes wrong. These are the places we\u2019ve been taught to look.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">But there is another place stress quietly settles that almost nobody talks about, one that sits deeper in the body and whose connection to stress most women have never been told about. The relationship between stress and pelvic floor tension is a somewhat under-recognised connection in women\u2019s health and yet for many women, unexplained symptoms they have been carrying for years could be traced back to exactly this.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">According to Dr Sandra Elmer, Urologist and Women\u2019s Pelvic Specialist and part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a title=\"endota Wellbeing Conversation\" href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, the pelvic floor is far more sensitive to the body\u2019s stress response than most people may realise and understanding that connection is often where the answers begin.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e93bebd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e93bebd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e49891c\" data-id=\"e49891c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be9d526 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"be9d526\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">what is the pelvic floor, exactly?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7e4638 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7e4638\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019ve never given much thought to your pelvic floor, you\u2019re not alone. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that run between the pubic bone at the front and the tailbone at the back. \u201cThey support all the pelvic organs,\u201d Dr Elmer explains. \u201cThe urethra and the bladder at the front, the vagina in the middle and the rectum at the back.\u201d<\/p><p>In a well-functioning system, these muscles spend most of their time relaxed. They engage when needed, to prevent leakage when you cough or lift something heavy, and then release again. \u201cNormal pelvic floor muscles as you\u2019re walking around are nice and relaxed,\u201d Dr Elmer says. \u201cYour bladder may fill up with some urine and the pelvic floor strengthens a little bit to stop you from leaking. But then when you go to the toilet, everything will relax and you can pee and pass a bowel motion without any issues.\u201d<\/p><p>What most women have never been taught is that the pelvic floor is under the control of the autonomic nervous system, the same system that governs the stress response.\u00b9 That connection is not incidental, it\u2019s the reason why <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/stress-and-muscle-tension\/\">stress<\/a><\/span> and pelvic floor tension are so closely linked and why addressing one often requires attending to the other.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8bcb906 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8bcb906\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65c9212\" data-id=\"65c9212\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3762b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b3762b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">what happens to your pelvic floor when you\u2019re stressed?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c59bcc1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c59bcc1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">You might already know what stress feels like in your shoulders or your gut but what you may not know is that your pelvic floor is responding too. \u201cWhen you\u2019re stressed, what happens is the pelvic floor muscles can become tight and inappropriately so,\u201d Dr Elmer explains.\u00b2 For some women, a moment of acute stress passes and the tension releases with it. But when stress becomes chronic, the pelvic floor can remain in a state of bracing long after any actual threat has passed. This is what Dr Elmer refers to as hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction: a pattern of persistent tension that can develop gradually and often without any awareness at all. \u201cIf you\u2019re chronically stressed and you\u2019re tightening up your pelvic floor, whether you\u2019re aware of it or not, or holding that tension in the pelvic floor, this can cause issues with your pelvic organs,\u201d she says.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The brain-pelvis connection makes this cycle particularly hard to break. \u201cThe pelvic floor has a really strong sensory connection,\u201d Dr Elmer explains, \u201cand we know that it feeds back to different parts of the brain, such as the emotional centre, the pain centre, and the stress centres in the brain.\u201d Pelvic floor and anxiety are closely intertwined: pain and tension in the pelvis can heighten the brain\u2019s stress response, which in turn drives more tension in the pelvic floor. Without intervention, this loop can sustain itself for a long time.\u00b3<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e01714f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e01714f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8770687 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"8770687\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3160f07\" data-id=\"3160f07\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19c4349 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"19c4349\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7360f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7360f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Pelvic floor and anxiety are closely intertwined: pain and tension in the pelvis can heighten the brain\u2019s stress response, which in turn drives more tension in the pelvic floor.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b91b21 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0b91b21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c618a3 elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"2c618a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d5b25d9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d5b25d9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dbeee7d\" data-id=\"dbeee7d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6e5ad7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a6e5ad7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">how does it show up in the body?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a83e111 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a83e111\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The symptoms of hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction are varied, which is part of why so many women live with them for years without ever connecting them to stress. Because the pelvic floor surrounds the urethra, bladder, vagina and rectum, tension there can affect all of them.\u00b2<\/p><p>Urinary symptoms are among the most common. \u201cWomen might feel like they have constant urinary urgency, frequency or pain when they pee,\u201d Dr Elmer says. \u201cAnd sometimes they think, oh, I\u2019ve got a urinary tract infection. But the urine is actually clear and it\u2019s just because that pelvic floor muscle is clamping down around their urethra.\u201d<\/p><p>Sexual discomfort is another way it shows up. When the muscles around the vagina are persistently tight, penetration can become painful or even impossible. \u201cWe call that vaginismus,\u201d Dr Elmer explains, \u201cand that\u2019s that involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles with or without the idea of penetration.\u201d Bowel function can also be affected, with a pelvic floor gripped tightly around the rectum making it difficult to fully empty. And in some women, the tension itself becomes the primary symptom: a deep, chronic pelvic pain that Dr Elmer describes as \u201calmost like having a tension headache in your pelvis.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c6b279\" data-id=\"1c6b279\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba9031b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba9031b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pelvic-pain.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63802\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pelvic-pain.jpg 400w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pelvic-pain-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pelvic-pain-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pelvic-pain-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de05a08 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de05a08\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d525242\" data-id=\"d525242\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba7a0b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ba7a0b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">the breathing connection<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b3ce8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b3ce8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">One connection that surprises most women is the one between the pelvic floor and the breath. The diaphragm, the deep abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor operate as a coordinated unit, moving together with each breath cycle.\u2074 When breathing becomes shallow or stress-driven, that coordination breaks down, and the pelvic floor can be left stuck in a state of tension with no natural opportunity to release.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhen you\u2019re very stressed and the breathing becomes shorter or shallower,\u201d Dr Elmer explains, \u201cnot only can you feel that in your diaphragm or your abdominal muscle, but it can also throw your pelvic floor muscles out too.\u201d<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">This is explored in depth in <a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation<\/span><\/a>, but the short version is this: slowing the breath is one of the most direct ways to begin releasing pelvic floor tension. It is also why environments that naturally deepen and slow the breath, such as a treatment like the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/massage\/relaxation-massage\/organic-massage\/\">endota Organic Relax Massage<\/a><\/span> or a restorative spa experience like the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/spa-packages\/surrender-by-endota\/\">Surrender Spa Package<\/a><\/span> can offer genuine physiological benefits beyond simple relaxation.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6028257 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6028257\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b983e86\" data-id=\"b983e86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-848dab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"848dab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ways-to-release-pelvic-floor-tension.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63803\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ways-to-release-pelvic-floor-tension.jpg 400w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ways-to-release-pelvic-floor-tension-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ways-to-release-pelvic-floor-tension-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ways-to-release-pelvic-floor-tension-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d024be\" data-id=\"3d024be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f672a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5f672a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">practical ways to release pelvic floor tension<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2968a86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2968a86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">The good news is that pelvic floor relaxation techniques are genuinely accessible, and many can be started today without any equipment or prior experience.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Deep diaphragmatic breathing is the most foundational: slow, full breaths that allow the belly to rise on the inhale give the pelvic floor its natural cue to release. Even five to ten slow cycles, taken consciously, can begin to shift the tension. For a step-by-step guide, see <a title=\"How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation\" href=\"https:\/\/endotaspa.com.au\/blogs\/the-endota-edit\/breathwork-pelvic-floor-relaxation\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How Breathwork Supports Pelvic Floor Relaxation<\/span><\/a>.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Meditation and relaxing body scans may also help, particularly for women whose pelvic floor tension is driven by chronic pelvic pain stress or anxiety. Bringing deliberate attention to the pelvis, noticing what is held there without trying to force a change, is itself a form of release.\u2075 Gentle stretching through the hip flexors and inner thighs may support this work by releasing some of the surrounding muscle groups that contribute to pelvic tension.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">Reducing triggers matters too. Poor sleep, overcommitment and excessive caffeine all feed the sympathetic nervous system and may compound pelvic floor tension over time and even small adjustments may reduce the overall load.\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">The endota <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endotaspa.com.au\/products\/organic-relax-massage?srsltid=AfmBOoqPKeXh33hM4VW8k1m-hUY2IDq_p6cPMhvi8QhhcbOPwtB97gwN\">Organic Relax Massage <\/a><\/span>and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endotaspa.com.au\/products\/hot-stone-massage?srsltid=AfmBOoqU1YHiscjsy51wyojWQp5_sDnwogPsfu-iNL2gGkRFDzal5yRV\">Hot Stone Massage<\/a><\/span> both support nervous system regulation in ways that may indirectly benefit the pelvic floor.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">For women who need more targeted support, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess exactly where tension is held and guide specific techniques. \u201cHaving a really good pelvic floor physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold,\u201d Dr Elmer says simply.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a55ef1e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a55ef1e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9bcce8a\" data-id=\"9bcce8a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a273591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a273591\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">when to see a professional<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91c073 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a91c073\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">If symptoms are affecting your daily life, your sexual wellbeing or your ability to do the things you enjoy, that is reason enough to seek support rather than wait it out. Any symptoms outside the ordinary, including abnormal vaginal bleeding or blood in the urine, should always be investigated by a medical professional. For recurrent urinary tract infections or symptoms that are not responding to self-management, specialist referral is the right step. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a title=\"Continence Health Australia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.continence.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Continence Health Australia<\/a><\/span> also offers excellent information and a helpline for those wanting additional guidance.\u2076<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-319d283 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"319d283\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e67ae34\" data-id=\"e67ae34\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b492a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f4b492a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-04b9d2b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"04b9d2b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f7c79a0\" data-id=\"f7c79a0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f1278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6f1278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">frequently asked questions<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdce83b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdce83b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can stress really cause pelvic floor problems?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c7367e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c7367e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">Yes. The pelvic floor is partly governed by the autonomic nervous system, which means the fight-or-flight stress response directly affects its tension levels. Chronic stress can leave the pelvic floor in a state of persistent bracing, contributing to a range of symptoms including urinary urgency, pain and sexual discomfort.\u00b2<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dcab26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9dcab26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What does hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction feel like?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fab7381 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fab7381\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It can feel different for different women. Common experiences include a constant urge to urinate, pain or burning when passing urine, difficulty fully emptying the bowel, pain with intercourse and a deep, persistent pelvic ache. Because these symptoms are varied, many women live with them for years without realising they are connected.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81a965b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81a965b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Is pelvic floor tension the same as pelvic floor weakness?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c210f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c210f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>No. Pelvic floor tension, or hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction, involves muscles that are too tight rather than too weak. Kegel exercises, which are commonly recommended for pelvic floor weakness, can actually make tension-related symptoms worse. If you are unsure which type of dysfunction you are experiencing, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess and guide you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af4f2c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af4f2c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can massage help with pelvic floor tension?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566b239 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"566b239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Indirectly, yes. Treatments like the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/product\/spa-menu\/massage\/relaxation-massage\/organic-massage\/\">endota Organic Relax Massage<\/a><\/span> support the shift into a parasympathetic nervous system state, which creates the conditions for the pelvic floor to release the tension it has been holding. They are not a clinical treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction but they are a meaningful part of a nervous-system-supportive routine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6439cb1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6439cb1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When should I see a doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72526e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72526e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If symptoms are affecting your daily life, your sexual wellbeing or your ability to participate in activities you enjoy, that is reason enough to seek support. A GP can rule out underlying causes and refer you to a specialist. A pelvic floor physiotherapist is specifically trained to assess and treat pelvic floor tension and is an excellent first step for many women.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8321c69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8321c69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Does breathing really affect the pelvic floor?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef28157 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef28157\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, directly. The diaphragm and pelvic floor move together with each breath cycle. When breathing is shallow or stressed, the pelvic floor loses its natural opportunity to release with each exhale. Slow diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most accessible and evidence-supported tools for pelvic floor relaxation.\u2074<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-39948f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"39948f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9b331d8\" data-id=\"9b331d8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bcd6bc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3bcd6bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9604ee2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9604ee2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-22d4b29\" data-id=\"22d4b29\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a3e3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03a3e3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">references<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03c925e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03c925e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b9Bordoni, B., &amp; Zanier, E. (2013). Anatomic connections of the diaphragm: influence of respiration on the body system. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 6, 281\u2013291. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/JMDH.S45443\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/JMDH.S45443<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b2Faubion, S. S., Shuster, L. T., &amp; Bharucha, A. E. (2012). Recognition and management of nonrelaxing pelvic floor dysfunction. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 87(2), 187\u2013193. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mayocp.2011.09.004\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mayocp.2011.09.004<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u00b3Alappattu, M. J., &amp; Bishop, M. D. (2011). Psychological factors in chronic pelvic pain in women: relevance and application of the fear-avoidance model of pain. Physical Therapy, 91(10), 1542\u20131550. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2522\/ptj.20100368\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2522\/ptj.20100368<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2074Talasz, H., Kremser, C., Kofler, M., Kalchschmid, E., Lechleitner, M., &amp; Rudisch, A. (2011). Phase-locked parallel movement of diaphragm and pelvic floor during breathing and coughing: a dynamic MRI investigation in healthy females. International Urogynecology Journal, 22(1), 61\u201368. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00192-010-1240-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00192-010-1240-z<\/a><\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2075Veehof, M. M., Oskam, M. J., Schreurs, K. M., &amp; Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2011). Acceptance-based interventions for the treatment of chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain, 152(3), 533\u2013542. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pain.2010.11.002\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pain.2010.11.002<\/a><\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\">\u2076Continence Foundation of Australia. <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.continence.org.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.continence.org.au<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd21fb8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd21fb8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f73be8\" data-id=\"3f73be8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab8417 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ab8417\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Sandra Elmer is a urologist and women\u2019s pelvic specialist. She is part of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation\/\">endota Wellbeing Conversation<\/a><\/span>, a group of experts who share <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/endota-wellbeing-conversation-dr-sandra-elmer\/\">evidence-based insights<\/a><\/span> to help people better understand how their bodies and minds work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57338a5\" data-id=\"57338a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-febeb74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"febeb74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-63800\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/endota.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dr-Sandra-Elmer-3-1-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most of us know, in a general way, that stress lives in the body. We feel it in the shoulders that creep up toward the ears, the jaw that stays clenched long after the day is done, the stomach that tightens when something goes wrong. These are the places we\u2019ve been taught to look. But [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":63873,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[172,173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-facial","category-treatments"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.5 (Yoast SEO v23.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Stress Affects Your Pelvic Floor | endota<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chronic stress doesn&#039;t just live in your shoulders and jaw. 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