Women’s Health Service

Women’s Health Service

Women’s Health Physiotherapy and Pelvic Physiotherapy is a specialist area of Physiotherapy. It can treat a wide variety of physical changes that occur in a woman’s body throughout her life with a particular focus on the pelvis and pelvic floor. This includes:

  • Pre and postnatal rehabilitation
  • Urinary urge and stress incontinence
  • Overactive bladder
  • Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Faecal incontinence and many more.

While these conditions may be considered common, they aren’t normal and can be treatable or even preventable with prompt intervention.

Our Women’s Health Physiotherapist is registered as an associate member with Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP). This means they have undergone additional training to be able to provide this service. They are trained to assess, diagnose and treat disorders of the pelvic floor safely and effectively with the most up to date evidence.  

What to expect at your first appointment

Your initial appointment will take up to 60 minutes. This allows you enough time to discuss your concerns in depth, to make sure you are comfortable with any type of examinations and have time to ask any questions. There are no silly questions and confidentiality, discretion and restoring independence is at the heart of what we do.

Medical History:

  • You’ll be asked in depth questions about your bladder, bowel and sexual health. These are the key areas that are supported by your pelvic floor. We understand that these can be difficult and embarrassing topics and will always treat you with the utmost respect and dignity.
  • You’ll be asked details of any previous pregnancies, including miscarriages, the type of birth – whether c-section or natural – and if there were any complications at any stage during this journey.  
  • You’ll be asked about your postnatal care and rehabilitation, regardless of whether this was 6 weeks ago or 60 years ago as this can all play a part in understanding what your individual body has been through.
  • You’ll be asked in detail any previous medical history, medications or interventions and any other questions that can help guide your assessment.

Physical Examination:

This is very similar to your ordinary physiotherapy assessment – looking at strength, range of motion, posture and movement of your lower back, hips, pelvis and abdominals.

Internal Examination:

  • These are usually what most people worry about.
  • This should not be a painful experience and it is less invasive than things such as smear tests or internal ultrasound scans. Due to the nature of this examination, it is important that consent and comfort are maintained at all times and you can change your mind at any time.
  • These are performed in order to identify any areas of muscle tension, trigger points in the pelvic floor and to test the strength, endurance and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles.
  • This usually involves one gloved and lubricated finger inserted into the vagina to perform these tests.
  • However, they are also completely optional! If this is not something you are comfortable with we can discuss techniques for you to try at home instead.

Treatment and Exercises:

  • We will practice your pelvic floor exercises to make sure you are using the correct techniques and are able to fully relax and contract the right muscles at the right time.
  • There are different types of pelvic floor exercises depending on your needs and we will work together to make sure these are the most appropriate for your condition. Some exercises promote relaxation and others promote strength or endurance.
  • In addition to pelvic floor exercises we will occasionally need to prescribe exercises to strengthen the muscles around your pelvic floor including the glutes, abdominals and lower back.

Future Planning:

  • We will work together to plan your ongoing treatment, if required. Every body is different and so is every pelvic floor.
  • Sometimes you will be asked to fill out a bladder diary to better understand your “normal” and to help us identify any easy wins for your treatment.
  • All your treatment is decided collaboratively with you at the centre of all decisions. The aim is to make sure we get you back to doing your normal activities safely and happily.
Session cost:

First contact telephone call with Women’s health specialist (10 minutes) – FREE
Initial consultation including initial treatment (60 minutes) – £75
Follow up session (45 minutes) – £55