Five Signs You May Need Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Most of us don’t think about our pelvic floor until something feels off. Yet this group of muscles quietly does a lot of work. It supports your bladder, bowel and reproductive organs, helps you control when you pee and poop, plays a role in sexual function, and works in concert with your core and breathing to support your body all day long.
Pelvic floor symptoms are common, and they affect people of all genders and at every stage of life, whether after having a baby, during menopause, following surgery, or in the middle of a busy, ordinary week. They’re also very treatable for many people, which is worth knowing if you’ve been living with pelvic floor related symptoms.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy goes well beyond Kegels. Depending on your unique needs, care might focus on strength, relaxation, coordination, mobility, behaviours and habits, diet and lifestyle, and or how your pelvic floor works with the rest of your body.
Here are five common signs it may be time to talk with a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
1. You leak urine
Maybe it happens when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run or jump. Or maybe you get a sudden, strong urge to go and don’t always make it in time.
Leaking is common, but it isn’t something you have to accept as normal. There are many possible reasons for it. Sometimes the pelvic floor muscles are weak. Other times they’re too tight, or they aren’t coordinating well with your breathing, abdominal muscles and bladder. Your diet and daily habits may even be playing a role. These causes call for very different approaches, which is why strengthening alone doesn’t work for everyone.
A pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment can help identify what’s behind your symptoms so your treatment plan fits you.
2. You have pelvic pain
Pelvic pain looks different from person to person. It might feel like aching, pressure, burning, pulling or sharp pain in your pelvis, lower abdomen, hips or tailbone area. It can affect people of all genders.
There are many possible contributors, including pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, hormonal changes, and bladder, bowel or reproductive health conditions. Often, the pelvic floor muscles tighten in response to pain, which can keep the cycle going and make exercise, daily activities and intimacy harder.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy for pelvic pain may include education about pain, breathing strategies, gentle movement, hands-on treatment, and techniques that help the pelvic floor relax.
3. Bowel movements are difficult
Constipation isn’t always about fibre or water. To empty your bowels comfortably, your pelvic floor needs to relax and coordinate with the muscles around it.
It may be worth investigating the role of your pelvic floor in constipation if you often strain, spend a long time on the toilet, feel like you haven’t fully emptied, or have discomfort when you go.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can assess how your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles and breathing work together, and teach you positioning and breathing strategies that make bowel movements easier and reduce straining.
4. Sex is painful
Sex shouldn’t hurt.
Pain with sex can have many causes, including muscle tension, hormonal changes, childbirth, scar tissue, past experiences, and other pelvic health conditions. It might happen at the start of penetration, deeper in the pelvis, or only in certain positions. People of all genders can experience it.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help identify the muscles and tissues involved and, when appropriate, offer treatment and strategies to improve comfort.
5. You feel pelvic pressure or heaviness
Some people describe a sense of heaviness, dragging or pressure in the pelvis, often worse at the end of the day or after standing, lifting or exercising. Others notice a bulge or fullness in the vagina or rectum.
These sensations can be linked to pelvic organ prolapse, which happens when pelvic organs sit lower than usual. Prolapse is more common than most people realize, and having it doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising or give up things you love.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you understand what’s contributing to your symptoms and show you ways to manage them, including how to lift, exercise and move with more confidence.
When should you seek help?
You don’t have to wait until symptoms are severe. If any of the five signs above sound familiar, an assessment is a good first step.
Some symptoms should be checked by a doctor promptly, so please don’t wait to be seen if you notice:
- Blood in your urine or stool
- A sudden change in your bladder or bowel habits
- Being unable to empty your bladder or bowels
- Numbness in your groin, inner thighs or saddle area
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
What to expect at a first pelvic floor physiotherapy visit
Many people hesitate to book because they’re not sure what will happen. A first appointment starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history and goals. Danielle or Silvana will explain each step, and nothing happens without your consent. Depending on your situation, an assessment may include looking at your posture, movement and breathing, and, only if you’re comfortable, an internal exam. You’re always in control and can pause or stop at any point.
From there, you’ll work together on a plan that fits your body and your life. For some people that means strengthening, for others relaxation or coordination, and often a combination. For others still, treatment may focus more on experimenting with changes in diet and daily habits.
Pelvic health concerns are common, and you don’t have to figure them out alone. If something doesn’t feel right, we’d be glad to help you understand what’s going on and find a path forward.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Pure Pelvic Health to book a pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment.
Written by: Pure Pelvic Health
Clinical Review by: Danielle van Andel, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
