Pelvic Health Physio

Pelvic health is an essential but often overlooked part of overall health and wellbeing. Bladder, bowel and pelvic floor problems affect millions of Australians of all ages, yet many people feel too embarrassed to seek help. In Australia:

  • 1 in 3 women, 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 children experience bladder control problems.
  • > 5 million Australians (1 in 4 people aged over 15) live with bladder or bowel control problems.
  • 1 in 3 women who have had a baby experience urinary leakage.
  • Around 70% of people with continence problems never seek professional help, often due to embarrassment or thinking it is “normal”.

The reality is that many pelvic health conditions can be treated, improved or even resolved with physiotherapy. At The Sports Physio Clinic, Penny Hanlon provides compassionate, evidence-based pelvic health physio for women, men and children, helping people regain confidence and control.

What Is Pelvic or Women’s Health Physiotherapy?

Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding structures that support the:

  • bladder
  • bowel
  • uterus and reproductive organs
  • prostate
  • sexual function

These muscles work with the core, diaphragm and hip muscles to provide stability and control. When they become weak, overactive, injured or poorly coordinated, symptoms can occur such as:

  • bladder leakage
  • urgency or frequency
  • bowel control problems
  • pelvic pain
  • prolapse
  • sexual dysfunction
  • pain during pregnancy or after childbirth

Pelvic health physiotherapy helps restore strength, coordination and control of these muscles.

Pelvic Health Across the Lifespan

Pelvic health concerns can occur at any age, not just after pregnancy or later in life.

Below are some of the common issues we see across different life stages.

Children & Adolescents.

Bladder and bowel problems are surprisingly common in younger people.

Up to 1 in 5 children experience bladder control issues, and some teenagers continue to have symptoms such as urgency or leakage.

Common concerns include:

  • daytime urinary leakage
  • bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
  • constipation
  • urgency and frequency
  • pelvic floor dysfunction with sport
  • Pelvic health physiotherapy can help children develop healthy bladder and bowel habits, pelvic floor awareness and confidence.

Young Women & Active Adults.

Pelvic floor problems are common in active women and athletes, particularly in sports involving jumping, running or high impact.

Many women experience:

  • leakage with sport or exercise
  • urgency or frequent urination
  • pelvic pain
  • pain with intercourse

High-impact exercise, heavy lifting, chronic constipation and poor pelvic floor coordination can all contribute.

Pelvic health physiotherapy focuses on:

  • pelvic floor strengthening and coordination
  • load management in sport
  • breathing and core control
  • returning safely to exercise

Pregnancy & Post-Natal Care.

Pregnancy and childbirth place significant stress on the pelvic floor. Research shows around one in three women who have had a baby experience bladder leakage.

Common post-pregnancy issues:

  • bladder leakage
  • pelvic organ prolapse
  • abdominal muscle separation (diastasis)
  • pelvic or low back pain
  • painful intercourse
  • return-to-exercise concerns

Pelvic health physiotherapy supports women through:

  • pregnancy preparation
  • post-birth recovery
  • safe return to exercise and sport
  • pelvic floor rehabilitation

Pelvic Health for Men.

Pelvic health issues affect men too, but they are often less discussed.

Studies suggest around 30% of men who see a doctor have some degree of urinary incontinence, though many do not talk about it.

Common male pelvic health concerns include:

  • post-prostate surgery incontinence
  • post-void dribbling
  • urgency and frequency
  • pelvic pain
  • erectile dysfunction related to pelvic floor dysfunction

Pelvic floor rehabilitation can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life.

Midlife & Menopause.

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect pelvic tissues, muscle strength and bladder function.

Many women experience:

  • increased urinary urgency or frequency
  • bladder leakage
  • pelvic organ prolapse
  • pelvic pain
  • reduced sexual comfort

Physiotherapy can help improve pelvic floor strength, bladder control and pelvic support, allowing women to remain active and confident.

Penny Hanlon | Women's Health Physio | Narrabeen

Meet Penny Hanlon

Penny Hanlon is a physiotherapist with a special interest in continence and pelvic health physiotherapy. She works with women, men and children, providing care that is respectful, compassionate and confidential.

Pelvic health concerns can be difficult to talk about, but you are not alone — and help is available.

☎ Phone: 9981 4099

✉ Email

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Health

Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

No. You can book directly with one of our physiotherapists without a referral. A referral is only required if you’re claiming through certain schemes such as Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM), Workers Compensation, CTP, DVA, or some insurance providers.

What does a pelvic health physiotherapist treat?

A pelvic health physiotherapist assesses and treats problems involving the pelvic floor, bladder, bowel and surrounding muscles. This can include urinary leakage, urgency and frequency, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, pregnancy and postnatal concerns, and returning to exercise or sport. Pelvic health physiotherapy can be appropriate for women, men, children and adolescents.

How do I know if my pelvic floor is weak?

Common signs can include urine leakage when coughing, sneezing, running or jumping, difficulty controlling wind, a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis, or difficulty performing a pelvic floor contraction.

However, symptoms aren’t always caused by weakness. Pelvic floor muscles can also be overactive or poorly coordinated, which is why assessment is preferable to simply doing more pelvic floor exercises.

Is it normal to leak urine when running, jumping or exercising?

Urinary leakage during exercise is common, particularly in women participating in running, jumping, heavy lifting and other high-impact activities, but being common doesn’t mean it should simply be accepted. Pelvic health physiotherapy can assess pelvic floor strength, coordination, breathing, exercise technique and training load and develop a rehabilitation program that allows you to remain active. Your existing page specifically identifies leakage during sport as a common concern in active women.

Should I do pelvic floor exercises or Kegels every day?

Not necessarily. Pelvic floor exercises need to be appropriate for your particular problem.

Some people need greater strength or endurance, while others need to improve relaxation, coordination or the timing of their pelvic floor muscles. Performing large numbers of pelvic floor contractions isn’t automatically better and may be inappropriate when the muscles are already overactive.

Can pelvic health physiotherapy help during pregnancy?

Yes. Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help manage pelvic girdle and lower back pain, pelvic floor symptoms, bladder problems and exercise related concerns.

It can also help prepare the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles for childbirth and provide guidance about maintaining or modifying exercise safely during pregnancy.

When should I see a pelvic health physiotherapist after having a baby?

You don’t need to wait until you have a significant problem.

A postnatal pelvic health assessment can be useful if you experience urinary or bowel leakage, pelvic heaviness, prolapse symptoms, abdominal separation, pelvic or back pain, painful intercourse, or difficulty returning to exercise.

It can also provide an individualised plan for rebuilding strength and gradually returning to running, gym training or sport.

Can physiotherapy help pelvic organ prolapse?

Yes. Pelvic floor muscle training and appropriate lifestyle and exercise modification are important conservative management strategies for many people with pelvic organ prolapse.

Physiotherapy may include pelvic floor rehabilitation, advice about pressure management, constipation and lifting, and modifications that allow you to continue exercising safely.

Can pelvic health physiotherapy help with painful sex or pelvic pain?

Yes. Pelvic pain and pain during intercourse can sometimes involve overactivity, sensitivity or poor coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.

Assessment can help determine whether the pelvic floor or surrounding musculoskeletal structures are contributing. Treatment is individualised and may involve education, relaxation and breathing strategies, graded exercises and other appropriate physiotherapy techniques.

What happens at my first pelvic health physiotherapy appointment?

Your first appointment begins with a confidential discussion about your symptoms, medical history, bladder and bowel function, activity levels and goals. Your physiotherapist will explain which assessments may be helpful and discuss these with you before proceeding. Treatment and rehabilitation are then tailored to your individual findings and goals.

How do I book an appointment with Penny?

Appointments can be booked by email or calling Narrabeen on 9981 4099 during business hours (7:00am – 7:00pm Monday to Friday).

Resources

Continence Health Australia

Australian Physio Association – Continence & Women’s Health