Bladder problems can include leaking with coughing, sneezing or exercise; not getting to the toilet on time, and needing to empty the bladder with increased frequency or urgency. One in three women will experience leaks of urine after giving birth, but they can also occur in women who have not had children, especially later in life. Sadly, the lack of information around this problem means many women accept this as normal. On the contrary, neither normal nor difficult to treat, more than 80% of women will stop leaking after attending physiotherapy.

Bowel problems can include leaks of faeces, a sudden urgency to pass a stool or constipation. One in ten women will suffer from leaks of faeces after having a baby. Sadly this is a common condition, but is not normal and hugely impacts a woman’s physical and mental health. Women do not have to suffer, there is help available. Physiotherapy will decipher the cause and devise a treatment plan that will improve or eliminate the leaks.

Pelvic organ prolapse means the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and bowel) are leaning into the vagina or vaginal walls. The pelvic organs are supported by the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic organ prolapse is an under-recognised condition and symptoms include dragging, heaviness or a bulge in the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse is experienced by one in three women after having a baby but it can also occur in women that have not had a baby. Some women notice prolapse symptoms during the peri-menopause and beyond because the tissues surrounding the pelvic organ become thinner due to the reduction in oestrogen that occurs during this time.
 

The information on pelvic organ prolapse available online can be conflicting and confusing, making women fear movement and activities and can ultimately affect their mental health. Women’s Physiotherapy Reigate provides a full assessment of the prolapse and expert guidance so women can fully understand and manage a prolapse and return to the hobbies and sports they enjoy without anxiety.

Women can experience different types of pelvic pain including painful intercourse (dyspareunia), vulval pain (vulvodynia), vaginismus (sudden tightening of the vagina when something is inserted into it), painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis) as well as pain from conditions such as Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. Pelvic pain is debilitating with a variety of causes. For instance, the muscles of the pelvic floor may be overactive and struggle to relax. There are a number of different ways to resolve pelvic pain, and the chosen approach would depend on the source of the problem.