What is the Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues which lines the pelvis and surround the openings to our bladder, bowel and in women, the vagina. They are like a sling or a hammock that attaches to our pubic bone at the front, and our coccyx (tailbone) at the back. 

 The pelvic floor also forms part of “the core” – a flexible and dynamic cylinder inside our trunk, along with the diaphragm (breathing muscle), transverse abdominis (deep tummy muscle) and multifidus (deep back muscle). 

Both females AND males have a pelvic floor!

Who is a Continence & Women’s Health Physiotherapist and what do they do?

Continence and Women’s Health (C&WH) Physiotherapists have undergone additional Postgraduate university qualifications and are trained in the assessment and management of bladder, bowel and pelvic floor problems for both men and women. They are also skilled in the care of women during pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

Their role is to help you to understand what is going on, why you have developed your problem and develop the best course of management for specific to you and your lifestyle. 

Why might I need to see a Women’s Health Physiotherapist?

Your doctor, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist or midwife may advise you to see a C&WH Physiotherapist to help you with a specific problem or condition, or you might wish to see one of your own accord. The good news is you do not need a referral to see a C&WH, you can simply ring up and make an appointment. 

The Pelvic Floor

  The pelvic floor has several functions which include:

• Contracting to maintain storage of waste products from the bladder (urine) and bowel (stool/poo)
• Relaxing to allow evacuation of waste products
• Playing a role in sexual function for both men and women
• Providing a passage for the birth of a foetus
• Supporting abdominal and pelvic organs
• Assisting to control the pressure inside the abdomen

What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

• Accidentally leaking urine when you laugh, cough, sneeze or exercise
• Sudden urge to empty your bladder or bowel and needing to rush to the toilet
• Not making it to the toilet in time
• Constantly needing to go to the toilet 
• Difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel, or not feeling like you have fully emptied
• Straining on the toilet
• Losing control of your bowel
• Prolapse 
• Pain in your pelvic area
• Pain with sex or difficulty using tampons

How Do I Get Started

All initial appointments are 1 hour in duration. A detailed history will be taken including questions about your symptoms, bladder and bowel function, fluid and food intake, sexual function, exercise and general health. The physiotherapist will also discuss your goals and determine what you hope to achieve. 

A real-time ultrasound assessment is often performed to assess your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. This is done by placing the ultrasound on your lower stomach. 

If further information about your pelvic floor is required, an internal examination (vaginal or rectal) can be performed at the second appointment. This is not a compulsory examination however it is very useful and can provide valuable information for both the physiotherapist and yourself. Any queries or concerns about this can be discussed with the physiotherapist at your appointment.

What should I do to prepare for my appointment?

Please bring along any referrals you may have from your doctor or Specialist. If you have had any relevant investigations or imaging please bring a copy of the report if you have it. The real-time ultrasound requires you to have a full bladder. Approximately 1 hour prior to your appointment go to the toilet and empty your bladder, then drink 1 – 2 glasses of water. It is important that you don’t go to the toilet again until you see the Physiotherapist.

For more information on booking an initial assessment or enroling in a class please speak to our friendly staff at 9274 1482