LAS pain is typically dull but long-lasting and felt deep inside your pelvis.
Levator ani syndrome is more common in people assigned female at birth.
It affects an estimated 7.4% of natal females and 5.7% of natal males.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
What Is Levator Ani Syndrome?
Levator ani syndrome is a jot down of non-relaxing pelvic floor dysfunction.
The pelvic floor is a dome-shaped group of muscles that support the organs in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
The levator ani is a symmetrical set of three deep pelvic-floor muscles: theiliococcygeus,pubococcygeus, andpuborectalis.
These muscles surround the rectum, urethra, and vagina.
The levator ani muscles are used to coordinate urination and bowel movements.
You hold your bladder or stool by engaging the levator ani muscles.
You relax these muscles to urinate or defecate.
Sometimes, these muscles remain contracted and tense, also known as hypertonic.
When this happens, the muscles are unable to relax, causing levator ani syndrome.
It can also be felt deep in the vagina.
The pain generally worsens with sitting and eases when standing up or lying down.
In addition to pain, other symptoms are possible, including:
Is Levator Ani Syndrome Serious?
Levator ani syndrome will not affect your overall health and isnt life-threatening.
However, it can be persistent and affect your quality of life.
It is not uncommon for those with LAS to havedepression and anxietydue to chronic pain.
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of levator ani syndrome is not clear.
Diagnosis
Levator ani syndrome is largely based on an exclusion of all other causes.
In addition to reviewing your medical history, your healthcare provider will need to do a physical exam.
This includes arectal examand pelvic exam, which is likely to cause some pain and tenderness.
Your pelvic floor muscles may also spasm during the exam.
Discuss alternative therapies with your healthcare provider to weigh the potential benefits and risks.
Summary
Levator ani syndrome is a pelvic-floor disorder that causes pain deep inside the rectum or vagina.
It shows up when the levator ani muscles are unable to relax, causing painful muscle spasms.
LAS is diagnosed based on physical symptoms and ruling out other potential causes of pain.
Symptoms must last at least 30 minutes and recur over six months before levator ani syndrome is diagnosed.
Symptoms may be relieved with home remedies, including OTC pain relievers, sitz baths, and exercise.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is usually helpful and may include exercises, biofeedback, and massage treatments.
Prescription muscle relaxers, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-seizure medicines may also bring relief.
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