If you’ve never seen a pelvic health physiotherapist before, you might have a few questions.

Lets take a look through some of the things you can expect to see in your pelvic health journey.

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What are they going to ask me? Will I need an internal examination? Will I have to do loads of pelvic floor exercises?

And perhaps the biggest question of all:

“Is my problem even bad enough to see someone?”

The answer is yes. If something is bothering you, it’s worth talking about.

Here’s what your appointment might actually look like.

First things first: we’ll have a chat

Before anything else, we’ll sit down and talk.

We’ll want to understand what’s been happening, when it started and how it’s affecting your everyday life.

You might be coming because you’re leaking when you run. Perhaps you’re struggling to empty your bowels, experiencing pelvic pain, dealing with a prolapse or finding sex uncomfortable.

We’ll ask questions about your bladder, bowel, exercise, pregnancy and birth history, surgery and anything else that’s relevant to you.

Some of the questions might feel personal.

That’s okay.

We have these conversations every day, and there is absolutely no judgement.

Then we’ll talk about what you actually want to get back to doing

This is one of the most important parts.

Maybe your goal isn’t simply “stronger pelvic floor muscles.”

Maybe you want to:

• Go for a run without leaking
• Get through a night without constantly getting up to wee
• Pick up your children without feeling pelvic heaviness
• Enjoy sex without pain
• Get back to the gym
• Feel confident in your body after having a baby
• Stop worrying about where the nearest toilet is

That’s what we’re working towards.

Will I have to have an internal examination?

Not necessarily.

An internal examination can sometimes give us useful information about how your pelvic floor muscles are working, but it’s not automatically part of every appointment.

If we think it would be helpful, we’ll explain why and talk you through what’s involved.

You can ask questions.

You can say no.

And you can change your mind at any point.

You are always in control.

We might look at how you move

Depending on your symptoms, we may look at your breathing, movement, strength and how you manage pressure through your abdomen and pelvis.

This might be as simple as watching you move, squat, lift or perform an exercise that’s relevant to your everyday life.

Your pelvic floor doesn’t work in isolation, so sometimes looking at the bigger picture can be really useful.

Then we make a plan

Once we’ve worked out what’s likely going on, we’ll decide together what might help.

That could be pelvic floor exercises, bladder or bowel strategies, breathing techniques, strength work, advice about exercise, pain management or something completely different.

And no, we’re not just going to hand you a sheet of pelvic floor exercises and send you on your way.

The aim is to understand why you’re experiencing your symptoms and give you tools that make sense for you.

What happens after that?

You’ll have some things to work on between appointments, but they should fit into your real life.

We’ll review how you’re getting on and make changes if something isn’t working.

Some people only need a couple of appointments. Others need more support.

There isn’t a set number.

And here’s the important bit…

You don’t need to wait until your symptoms are really bad before asking for help.

You don’t need to be embarrassed.

And you don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before you book.

That’s our job.

Whether you’re trying to get back to running, recover after having a baby, manage menopause symptoms or simply feel more comfortable in your own body, a pelvic health physio can help you work out what’s going on and what your options are.

Your journey starts with a conversation.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for individual assessment or clinical advice. Please consult a qualified health professional for personalised care.