Have you ever leaked a little urine when you coughed or exercised? Felt a sense of heaviness or dragging in the pelvis by the end of the day? Or struggled with discomfort during intimacy but felt unsure who to talk to? These are some of the most common questions I hear in clinic.
Many women (and men) quietly wonder if what they’re experiencing is “normal,” especially after pregnancy, surgery, or as they move through different life stages. Pelvic floor dysfunction is common — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. And you are absolutely not alone.
The pelvic floor plays a vital role in bladder and bowel control, support of pelvic organs, sexual function, and core stability. When it’s not working optimally, it can affect daily comfort, confidence, and quality of life. The encouraging news? In most cases, pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable.
With the right assessment and guidance through Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, symptoms can significantly improve — often without surgery or medication.
What Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that sit at the base of your pelvis, forming a supportive “hammock” from your pubic bone to your tailbone. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and uterus (in women), help control bladder and bowel emptying, contribute to sexual function, and work alongside your deep abdominal and hip muscles for stability.
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles aren’t working as they should. This can mean they’re too weak, too tight, lack coordination, or a combination of these factors. It can affect women during pregnancy or after birth, women in peri- and post-menopause, men after prostate surgery, athletes, and anyone who has had pelvic or abdominal surgery.
Common Causes or Contributing Factors
- Pregnancy and vaginal delivery
- Instrumental birth or significant perineal tearing
- Chronic coughing or asthma
- Repeated heavy lifting
- High-impact exercise without adequate support
- Constipation or ongoing straining
- Hormonal changes (especially during menopause)
- Pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Persistent lower back, hip, or pelvic pain
What Can Help?
If symptoms are ongoing or affecting your daily activities, it’s worth having an assessment. Early intervention can prevent issues from progressing and often leads to better outcomes.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy provides a detailed, individual assessment of muscle strength, relaxation, coordination, breathing patterns, and movement habits. Treatment is tailored to your body’s needs.
Treatment may include pelvic floor retraining, relaxation strategies, breathing education, core and hip strengthening, and gradual return-to-exercise planning. Lifestyle adjustments such as managing constipation, modifying high-impact exercise temporarily, and improving lifting technique can also make a significant difference.
When to Seek Support
If you notice ongoing leakage, heaviness or bulging, pelvic pain, pain with intimacy, or difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel — these symptoms are treatable. Seeking support early often leads to quicker recovery and prevents secondary issues.
Across Mornington Peninsula and Mornington, many people are surprised to learn how much can improve with appropriate guidance.
Ready to take the next step in your health, recovery, or movement?
Whether you’re looking to move better for life, recover from injury, or build strength, balance, and confidence, our physiotherapists on the Mornington Peninsula are here to support you.
We provide personalised, evidence-based care to help you reduce pain, restore movement, and build long-term resilience — so you can feel stronger in your body and more confident in your everyday life.
Pelvic Health
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like heaviness, leakage, or uncertainty around returning to movement, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Our pelvic health physiotherapy team provides personalised, evidence-based care to help you rebuild strength, improve confidence, and return to movement safely.
Call 03 5976 4944 to book an appointment or speak with our team
No referral needed
