Services

Bladder & bowel

Bladder and bowel issues are common, but not normal. Nobody should have to live with incontinence, frequency, urgency, constipation and pain. There are many different strategies and exercises that can lead to a quick and full resolution of symptoms.

Vaginal wall prolapse

Vaginal wall prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs (which include the bladder, bowel and uterus) descend from their normal positions. This can create a heavy, dragging feeling in the vagina or make it difficult to empty the bladder or bowel. Common causes include pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes after menopause, obesity, severe coughing and straining on the toilet or constipation. Prolapse can be really distressing for some women, but with the right education and rehabilitation programme, symptoms can resolve and full function can return.

Pelvic & perineal pain

Pelvic and perineal pain can occur for many reasons, for example, during pregnancy, after childbirth and surgery. It can also arise following trauma or sexual assault, with conditions such as endometriosis or due to hormonal changes (including during perimenopause and menopause). Symptoms can occur spontaneously or during exercise, sexual intercourse and with activities of daily living such as housework, driving and lifting. It is incredibly empowering for women to have a pain management toolbox they can use on a daily or regular basis to resolve their pelvic pain and dysfunction.

To learn more, please refer to the ‘Pelvic pain. Working from the outside, in’ blog.

Post surgical pelvic floor management

Women do not often consider pelvic floor muscle management before or after surgery. Understanding more about the surgical procedure and ways to manage symptoms in the first few weeks and months, can have a huge positive impact on their recovery and long-term function.

Pregnancy and postnatal

As a mum of four boys, I know first-hand how growing, birthing and breastfeeding a baby brings changes to a woman’s body.

Physiotherapy can help women to stay active and confident throughout pregnancy, whilst relieving pelvic and low back pain as baby grows bigger. It can also help with other issues such as incontinence when a woman laughs or sneezes. In addition, it can be useful to connect with the pelvic floor muscles before labour to help to facilitate an easier birth, reduce risk of complications, and improve postnatal recovery.

During the postnatal period, women benefit from a review of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, particularly if the labour is long or difficult or they had a caesarean section. Conditions such as pelvic and low back pain, perineal tear and caesarean section wound healing, alongside abdominal separation (diastasis recti) are often also addressed. As a woman’s body changes, discussions around how to exercise safely are essential.

A postnatal consultation provides full reassurance that everything is working well, especially before returning to being physically active, playing sports or having another baby.

To learn more, please refer to the ‘Is it worth having a pelvic health physiotherapy consult during pregnancy?’ blog and ‘The postnatal period’ blog.

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