If you are experiencing urinary leakage, pelvic heaviness, pain during sex, or urgency that disrupts your day, it is worth seeking assessment. These symptoms are common, but they are not something you need to live with. Many women wait years before getting help, assuming their symptoms are normal or will resolve on their own.
Pelvic floor dysfunction affects women at all life stages. The symptoms can be subtle at first, then gradually become harder to ignore. Understanding when to book an appointment with a specialist can make a significant difference to your quality of life.
How Do You Know If You Need Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?
You should consider pelvic floor physiotherapy if you experience leaking urine during exercise or coughing, frequent urgent trips to the toilet, pelvic heaviness or bulging, pain in the pelvis or during intercourse, or difficulty emptying your bowel. These symptoms suggest your pelvic floor may need assessment and treatment.
There is no single symptom that defines pelvic floor dysfunction. Some women leak when they run. Others feel constant pelvic pressure. Some struggle with chronic constipation or pain that has no clear cause. What these experiences share is that they point to an issue with how the pelvic floor muscles are working.
Your pelvic floor might be weak, overactive, or poorly coordinated. Physiotherapy assessment helps identify which issue you are dealing with. In clinic, we often see women who have been leaking for years before seeking help, assuming it was just part of getting older or having children.
If you are searching for women’s health physiotherapy in London, you are likely already aware something is not right. Trusting that instinct is the first step.
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause urinary leakage when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise, frequent or urgent need to urinate, difficulty emptying your bladder fully, constipation or straining, pelvic pain or pressure, heaviness or a dragging sensation, pain during or after sex, lower back pain linked to pelvic issues, and symptoms that worsen during your period or menopause.
Urinary symptoms are often the most noticeable. Leakage during impact activities like running or jumping is common, but so is losing urine when you cough or lift something heavy. Some women experience urgency so strong that they struggle to reach the toilet in time. Others find they need to urinate frequently throughout the day, even when their bladder is not full.
Pelvic heaviness or a bulging sensation can indicate prolapse, where pelvic organs shift downward. This might feel worse at the end of the day or after standing for long periods. It is not always accompanied by pain, which is why some women dismiss it initially.
Pain is another key symptom. This includes deep pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during penetration, or discomfort that radiates to your lower back or hips. Pain often signals an overactive or tense pelvic floor rather than a weak one, which is why assessment matters.
Bowel symptoms also relate to pelvic floor function. Chronic constipation, straining, or a feeling that your bowel does not empty completely can all indicate dysfunction. These issues tend to overlap with other symptoms, particularly in postnatal women or those going through menopause.
Life stage plays a role too. Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demand on the pelvic floor. Symptoms might appear during pregnancy, immediately after birth, or months later. Menopause brings hormonal changes that weaken pelvic tissues, making previously manageable symptoms worse.
Is It Worth Seeing a Pelvic Floor Physio in London?
Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy addresses the root cause of your symptoms rather than masking them. Many women feel embarrassed discussing these issues, but physiotherapists specialise in this area and treat it every day.
One misconception is that all pelvic floor problems stem from weakness. Sometimes the muscles are too tight or fail to relax properly. Other times, the issue is coordination, not strength. A physiotherapist can differentiate between these patterns and tailor treatment accordingly.
Treatment might include exercises to strengthen weak muscles, techniques to release overactive ones, or retraining to improve coordination. You might also receive advice on bladder habits, bowel management, or posture. The goal is functional improvement, not perfection.
Urinary incontinence treatment through physiotherapy has strong evidence behind it. Research shows that guided pelvic floor exercises can significantly reduce leakage and improve bladder control. For pelvic organ prolapse support, physiotherapy can help manage symptoms and prevent progression.
If you live or work near Bloomsbury or Tottenham Court Road, accessing specialist care in Central London means you can fit appointments into your routine without long commutes. Convenience matters when you are committing to a course of treatment.
What Happens During a Pelvic Health Assessment?
A pelvic health assessment begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and how your condition affects daily life. Your physiotherapist will ask about bladder and bowel habits, pain, sexual function, and any previous treatments or surgeries.
The physical assessment includes external observation of your posture, breathing pattern, and abdominal wall function. These factors influence pelvic floor behaviour. Your physiotherapist may also assess your lower back and hips, as these areas connect to pelvic function.
An internal vaginal examination allows direct assessment of pelvic floor muscle tone, strength, and coordination. This is optional, but it provides the most accurate information. Your physiotherapist will explain what they are doing at each step and check you are comfortable. You remain in control throughout.
Many women worry about internal examinations, but they are brief and conducted with care. If you prefer to wait until a second appointment, that is fine. Building trust matters more than rushing through assessment.
After the assessment, your physiotherapist will explain their findings and discuss a treatment plan. This might include exercises to practise at home, hands-on therapy during sessions, or lifestyle adjustments. Progress is reviewed regularly and the plan adjusted as needed.
When Should You See a GP Instead?
Some symptoms require medical investigation before physiotherapy. See your GP if you experience any of the following red flags:
- Blood in your urine
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding outside your normal cycle
- Sudden severe pelvic pain
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs or feet
- New bowel changes accompanied by unintentional weight loss
- Difficulty starting urination or complete inability to pass urine
- Fever alongside pelvic pain or urinary symptoms
These symptoms may indicate infection, malignancy, or neurological issues that need urgent attention. Your GP can arrange investigations and refer you for specialist care if needed.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy works alongside medical treatment when appropriate. If you have already seen your GP and been cleared for physiotherapy, or if your symptoms do not include red flags, booking directly with a specialist is suitable. The NHS provides helpful information on pelvic floor dysfunction if you want to learn more about when to seek medical advice.
Book Your Appointment
Pelvic floor symptoms are common, treatable, and nothing to feel embarrassed about. Whether you are dealing with leakage, pain, prolapse, or postnatal recovery, specialist physiotherapy can help you regain function and confidence.
PhysioReform offers pelvic health assessment and treatment in Central London, conveniently located near Tottenham Court Road in Bloomsbury. Book your appointment to start addressing your symptoms with expert, compassionate care.