Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Resting Activity Associated with Pelvic and Genital Pain, Dyspareunia, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction? A Cross-Sectional Study of Women with Endometriosis

Rakel Gabrielsen, Kari Bø, Marie Ellström Engh, Merete Kolberg Tennfjord
International urogynecology journal · 2025 · vol. 36(11) , pp. 2277–2285 · doi:10.1007/s00192-025-06190-2 · PMID:40601003 · W4411929276
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This study found no association between pelvic floor muscle resting activity and pelvic/genital pain or dyspareunia in women with endometriosis, but higher resting activity correlated with greater PFM activation during maximal contractions.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: A link between pelvic and genital pain, dyspareunia, and increased pelvic floor muscle (PFM) tone is an area of controversy. Additionally, it has been postulated that increased PFM tone can limit the ability to further activate the PFM. We aimed to investigate the association between PFM resting activity and pelvic and genital pain and dyspareunia, and whether there is an association between PFM resting activity and activation during attempts at PFM maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in women with endometriosis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 women with endometriosis and pelvic and genital pain. An electronic questionnaire included background information, pelvic and genital pain (numeric rating scale 0-10) and questions about location and concerns of dyspareunia. Associations between variables were analyzed using multiple linear regression. PFM resting activity was registered as the mean microvolt (μV) during rest before and between five voluntary MVCs of the PFM. RESULTS: Mean age was 29 years (SD 6.2), and 9 (11%) were parous. No significant association between resting activity, pelvic and genital pain or location and concerns of dyspareunia was found. A significant positive association between PFM resting activity and activation during attempts at MVCs of the PFM (β = 0.130, p = 0.009, 95% CI = 0.034-0.229) was found. CONCLUSION: No association was found between PFM resting activity and pelvic and genital pain or location and concerns of dyspareunia. Contrary to the hypothesis, higher PFM resting activity resulted in more activation of the PFM during attempts at MVCs.

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Outcome instruments

NRS-pain

Condition tags

mesh:D004414mesh:D004715mesh:D017699endometriosisdyspareunia

MeSH descriptors

Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia Dyspareunia

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (37)

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