When it comes to women’s health, too many common conditions are still met with silence, embarrassment or the belief that they’re “just part of getting older.” From pelvic pain and bladder leakage to postnatal discomfort and core weakness, these issues affect millions of women in the UK. Alarmingly, over 60% of UK women report experiencing at least one symptom of poor pelvic floor health, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Yet despite how common these symptoms are, they often go unaddressed.
Women’s health physiotherapy is an evidence-based, compassionate approach to restoring wellbeing, strength and confidence at any age. Whether you’ve just had a baby, are navigating perimenopause, or are struggling with unexplained pain, physiotherapy offers answers and real results.
Why the Pelvic Floor Matters More Than We Realise
At the centre of many women’s health concerns lies a powerful but often misunderstood group of muscles: the pelvic floor. These muscles form a sling-like structure at the base of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, uterus and bowel. More than just a structural support system, the pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder control, sexual function, core stability and childbirth recovery.
When the pelvic floor becomes too weak or too tight, it can lead to issues like urinary incontinence, prolapse, pain during intercourse, pelvic heaviness, or lower back pain. These symptoms are common, but they are not normal, and they are certainly not untreatable.
Real-Life Challenges, Real Solutions
Women often experience health changes gradually. What starts as occasional urgency or mild pelvic discomfort can escalate over time, especially when left untreated. Let’s look at some of the key areas where women’s health physiotherapy can make a difference:
Postnatal Recovery
Following childbirth, many women face physical challenges that linger long after the six-week check-up. Whether it’s diastasis recti (abdominal separation), c-section recovery, pelvic pain, or core weakness, physiotherapy offers structured rehabilitation that’s tailored to your body and stage of healing.
Pelvic Pain
Conditions such as endometriosis, painful intercourse, or persistent pelvic tension are not simply “in your head.” Tightness or dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles often underpins these symptoms. Physiotherapists trained in pelvic health can identify the muscular and postural imbalances contributing to pain and use gentle techniques to restore balance.
Perimenopause and Beyond
Hormonal changes can weaken connective tissue, reduce muscle tone and impact joint health, especially in the pelvis and hips. Women may also begin to experience bladder leakage or discomfort during movement. A women’s health physiotherapist can help you understand these changes and support your body through them, with appropriate movement, strengthening and self-care strategies.
Emotional Wellbeing
Stress has a significant physical impact on the pelvic floor. Shallow breathing, clenching and poor posture, all of which are common under stress, contribute to tension and imbalance in the pelvic muscles. Addressing breath, movement and nervous system regulation is often a key part of holistic recovery.
The Role of Physiotherapy: Evidence and Empathy
Women’s health physiotherapists are highly trained to assess and treat issues related to the pelvic floor and core. Their role isn’t just about prescribing exercises, it’s about providing safe, empathetic care that helps women reconnect with their bodies.
Treatment might include:
- Manual therapy to release tight pelvic muscles
- Tailored pelvic floor retraining (not just “Kegels”, but techniques specific to underactivity or overactivity)
- Breathing and posture work to reduce strain on the core
- Education about the body, movement and recovery, so women feel empowered, not confused or ashame
Clinical studies increasingly support the role of physiotherapy in managing pelvic pain, incontinence and postpartum recovery. In fact, pelvic floor training is the recommended first-line treatment for urinary incontinence in the UK, as endorsed by both NICE and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
When Should You Seek Help?
The simple answer: sooner than you think.
You don’t have to wait until symptoms are severe or life-altering. If you’re experiencing any of the following, a physiotherapy assessment may help:
- Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing or exercising
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness
- Pain during intimacy
- Back or hip pain that won’t go away
- Trouble returning to exercise post-baby
- A general sense of weakness or disconnection from your core
Remember, these are not just individual issues, they are signs that the body is asking for support. Physiotherapy helps you respond with care and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is women’s health physiotherapy
Women’s health physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy that focuses on conditions affecting the pelvic floor, bladder, bowel and core, especially related to pregnancy, postpartum recovery, menopause and chronic pelvic pain. It offers evidence-based treatment to help restore strength, control and comfort.
Can physiotherapy help with pelvic pain or painful intercourse
Yes. Many types of pelvic pain, including pain during intimacy, can be linked to tight or over active pelvic floor muscles. A physiotherapist trained in pelvic health can assess these issues and offer gentle, effective treatment to relieve discomfort and restore balance.
Is it too late to start pelvic floor physiotherapy after childbirth or menopause?
It’s never too late. Whether you gave birth six months ago or 16 years ago, physiotherapy can still help. The same applies to perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, treatment can improve strength, reduce symptoms and support long-term wellbeing.
What should I expect during a women’s health physio appointment?
Your first session usually includes a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history and goals. Depending on your comfort and needs, it may involve a pelvic floor assessment (internal or external), posture analysis and guided breathing or movement strategies. Everything is explained clearly and done at your pace.
Do I need a GP referral to see a women’s health physiotherapist?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with a specialist physiotherapist at Hälsa. If your symptoms require medical input, your physio will guide you appropriately.
A Final Word: Reclaiming Women’s Health, Together
Women’s health deserves to be spoken about openly, treated respectfully and supported with the same scientific rigour as any other area of medicine. For too long, these concerns have been minimised or misunderstood. But with the right care and the right information, change is possible.
At Hälsa, we believe that physiotherapy is about more than movement. It’s about creating safe spaces where women feel heard, understood and empowered to take control of their health.
You are not alone. These issues are common, but they are treatable. And it’s never too late to start. Would you like help from one of our women’s health specialists? Get in touch with Hälsa.
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