On the Blog: 5 Common Pelvic Floor Problems and How to Address Them

Pelvic floor health is one of the most overlooked parts of our wellbeing. It impacts how we move, exercise, go to the toilet, have sex, give birth—and how we recover afterwards. And yet, it’s still not talked about openly enough.

I know this firsthand. I experienced pelvic floor issues in my early twenties—overactive bladder, leaking, and pain—but every GP I saw told me it was “normal.” They ran the tests, everything looked fine, and I left feeling dismissed and confused.

It wasn’t until I started studying pelvic health that it all clicked. I wasn’t alone, and I wasn’t making it up. The symptoms were real. And they were treatable.

Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of women understand and reclaim their pelvic floor health. Whether you’re pregnant, postnatal, or simply starting to notice changes as you age, know this:

Pelvic floor dysfunction is common with more than 1:3 women experiencing it, but it’s not something you have to put up with.

Below are five of the most common issues I see in clinic—and the evidence-based ways we can treat them.

1. Leaking When You Cough, Sneeze or Run (Stress Urinary Incontinence)

This type of leakage happens when your pelvic floor muscles don’t provide enough support to your bladder under pressure. It’s particularly common during or after pregnancy, but it’s not a “normal” part of life to accept.

How we treat it:
Targeted pelvic floor muscle training—done properly, with the right technique, reps, and progression—can make a huge difference. Often, women aren’t activating the right muscles or not working to fatigue or not relaxing enough, which is where a physiotherapist’s guidance is key.

2. A Heavy or ‘Falling Out’ Feeling (Pelvic Organ Prolapse)

Prolapse can happen after childbirth, but also in later life as the pelvic floor changes, or even from straining with constipation without having a baby. It’s the feeling of pressure, bulging, or something not sitting quite right.

How we treat it:
Pelvic floor strengthening is our first line of management. In some cases, a pessary (a small device fitted inside the vagina) can also provide support. Some women even come off surgical waitlists after sticking to a tailored physio plan as it’s so effective.

3. Ongoing Pelvic Pain or Discomfort

Pelvic pain can feel like tightness, burning, aching, or pain during sex or bowel movements. It’s often caused by a pelvic floor that’s holding too much tension—something that’s more common than people realise.

How we treat it:
We work on relaxation techniques first: breath work, pelvic floor drops, mobility exercises, and if needed, hands-on release. I also teach women how to do this at home with tools like pelvic wands, because it shouldn’t mean weekly appointments forever.

4. Constipation or Difficulty Emptying

If you feel like you’re straining or can’t fully empty your bowels, your pelvic floor may not be relaxing effectively during toileting.

How we treat it:
We work on learning how to ‘let go’ of the pelvic floor, as well as toileting posture and breath coordination. We also look at lifestyle factors like fibre, hydration, and body mechanics.

5. Painful Sex (Dyspareunia)

This is more common than most people realise, especially after birth or if you’ve had trauma. Tightness, scar tissue, hormonal changes and fear of pain can all play a role.

How we treat it:
It starts with trust and understanding your body. Then we layer in education, breath work, stretching, and—when you’re ready—tools like dilators. Open communication and consent are essential, and if trauma is involved, we connect you with the right support services too. Please reach out if you need!

You’re Not Alone - and You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Yourself

If anything in this blog sounds familiar, know that help is available. You deserve to feel strong, supported, and confident in your body.

For pregnant women addressing these issues prior to birth is KEY — my online course Pelvic Floor Prep for Birth covers these issues in detail. From pelvic floor training to birth prep and postnatal recovery, it’s everything I wish I’d known earlier, delivered in a way that fits into real life. There’s even a returning to sex guide from a sexologist.

This is the kind of education we should all have access to—before symptoms start.

Ready to take the next step?
Check out the course here. If you’re not sure where to begin, reach out - we’ll point you in the right direction.

Because your pelvic floor is worth looking after. And you don’t need to wait for it to become a problem to give it the attention it deserves.