What is a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?

A Pelvic Health Physiotherapist specialises in obstetrics, gynaecology, urology; bladder, bowel and sexual health. They focus on prevention as well as treating symptoms that occur in these areas.

Read below to find out more about the type of things we support.

Bladder and bowel

The pelvic floor has an important role in helping you to pass urine (wee) or faeces (poo) but also to stop it from leaking out unexpectedly. Some issues people may complain of is leaking of urine with coughing, sneezing or exercise. Other complaints include urgency, going often or waking regularly at night.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Our pelvic floor is a supportive sling of muscles that help to keep our pelvic organs in place (the bladder, uterus and rectum). If the pelvic floor is not doing this effectively then the pelvic organs can start to descend causing symptoms of heaviness and dragging around the vagina.

The Child-bearing year

Pelvic health physios support women in understanding their bodies during pregnancy, keeping them active and managing any aches, pains and bladder/bowel issues. We can support with birthing positions as well as recovery post-natal including scar management, return to exercises or ongoing pelvic floor issues.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be complex and cover a wide range of conditions including endometriosis, adenomyosis and bladder pain syndrome. Pain can also occur with sexual intercourse or pain around the vulval tissues. Management varies based on the symptoms but often a non- relaxing pelvic floor may be a contributing factors to some of the symptoms.

Gynaecological cancer or Gynaecological surgery

Pelvic health physio can support women to strengthen and prepare pre-operatively to try to improve the success of any surgical procedure. We can also support with post-operative recovery.

Peri-menopause and Menopause

Peri-menopause and menopause comes with hormonal changes which can influence the tissues of the vagina and pelvic floor. This can lead to lots of the symptoms and issues already mentioned. Prevention is always better than cure and even if you are not perimenopausal it's always a good time to start thinking about how to look after you pelvic health in preparation.