Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health is a specific area of physiotherapy that requires additional training to provide management of pelvic floor related problems. They can occur throughout life in both women and men. Louise, Rebecca, Laura and Margo have pursued a high level of continuing education and have extensive experience in this area.

At Total Physiotherapy Manly Vale (and previously as Sydney Rd Physiotherapy Seaforth) our team having been helping the women and men of the Northern Beaches for almost 20 years to improve their quality of life by gaining control of their bladder and bowels and reducing the impact of prolapse and pelvic pain.

Who might benefit from seeing a WMPH physio?

• Anyone who leaks urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh or play sport (stress incontinence)
• Anyone who needs to suddenly hurry to the toilet and may not make it in time (urinary urgency and/or urge incontinence)
• Anyone who gets up more than once a night to empty their bladder
• Anyone who finds it difficult to empty their bladder or bowel
• Anyone who loses control of their bowel or accidentally passes wind
• Women who have a prolapse ( feeling of a bulge, heaviness, dragging or “something coming down” in the vagina)
• Women who experience pain in the pelvic or vaginal area, (eg. with intercourse)
• Women who are pregnant and have pain in the low back or pelvis, who would like advice regarding general exercise as well as pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Women who have had a baby and are experiencing any pelvic floor symptoms or who would like advice on optimising their abdominal and pelvic floor muscle function, particularly for returning to exercise
• Women who require ultrasound treatment for lactating breast engorgement or mastitis
• Women who have pain or stiffness in their chest, back or shoulder or cording following a mastectomy
• Men who are going to have/have had a prostatectomy
• Men who have pain when they urinate, ejaculate or empty their bowels
• Children who have day or night time wetting, constipation or soiling of underwear

What is involved in a visit to a WMPH physio?

People can sometimes find these types of symptoms difficult or embarrassing for to talk about. Our consultations take place in a private room and you can be assured the WMPH team will always respect your privacy and dignity – you can answer our questions in as much detail as you are comfortable with.

To best understand the causes of your problem and how to treat it, there are some assessments we may suggest.

• A bladder diary – recording your fluid intake and the amount you empty
• Pelvic floor muscle function – using ultrasound or a pelvic examination. We will discuss which form of assessment is most appropriate for your symptoms and only proceed if you are comfortable.

 Treatment
Individualised physiotherapy is the first line treatment recommendation for pelvic floor related problems. Depending on the problem, 50 – 80% of people will be cured or  significantly improved with physiotherapy. It takes an average number of 4 visits to achieve this success. We collaborate with your GP and specialist if you require other medical input to further improve your condition.