5 Common Pelvic Floor Issues in Women & How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Helps

Let’s talk about something important but often ignored: the pelvic floor. 

If you’ve ever leaked a little when sneezing, felt pain during intimacy, or had that “I have to pee right now” feeling too often, your pelvic floor might be trying to tell you something.

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments that support your bladder, uterus, and bowel. 

The Anatomy of Pelvic Floor of Women

Image Courtesy by Pelvic Health Professionals 

When these muscles weaken or become too tight, they can lead to pelvic floor issues, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pain. 

Women’s pelvic health is essential, and addressing these concerns with Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy can provide relief and restore confidence.

Let’s dive into the most common pelvic floor problems many women face and how specialized treatments can improve your quality of life.

5 Most Common Pelvic Floor Issues in Women

Pelvic floor problems can happen at any age. Studies show that 1 in 3 women will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. 

The image below shows the difference between a normal and a weakened pelvic floor, which causes problems for women. 

Image Courtesy by Luminis Health 

Here are the most common problems women face due to a  weakened pelvic floor:

1. Urinary Incontinence (Bladder Leaks)

Does this sound familiar? You sneeze, cough, or laugh, and suddenly, a little urine escapes. Or maybe you can’t hold it in when you feel the urge to pee. These are signs of urinary incontinence, and they come in different forms:

• Stress Urinary Incontinence – Leaking urine when jumping, sneezing, or lifting something heavy due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. This affects nearly 50% of women who have given birth vaginally. 
• Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder) – A sudden, intense need to urinate, sometimes leading to accidents. This may be caused by nerve damage, bladder irritation, or muscle dysfunction.

💡 Fact: Women are twice as likely as men to experience urinary incontinence due to differences in pelvic anatomy and childbirth.

2. Pelvic Organ Prolapse (A Heavy, Dragging Feeling)

Ever feel like something is “falling out” down there? This happens when the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum) drop lower than they should, sometimes bulging into the vagina. 

Pelvic organ prolapse therapy can help by strengthening supportive tissues weakened by pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, or heavy lifting.

And the truth is, this is most common in women over 50 yet this often gets ignored, unreported, and untreated because of embarrassment or lack of awareness. 

3. Chronic Pelvic Pain

This is persistent pain in the pelvic area that won’t go away. It can feel dull, sharp, or achy and may worsen after sitting for long periods. Some common causes include:

• Endometriosis – A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing severe pain and inflammation. 
• Muscle tightness or spasms – Overactive pelvic floor muscles can lead to ongoing discomfort and pressure.
• Nerve irritation – Pelvic nerves can become hypersensitive due to injury, infection, or prolonged tension.

4. Pain During Intimacy (Dyspareunia)

Pain during sex is not normal, and it’s not something you have to live with. It can be due to:

• Tight pelvic floor muscles that make penetration painful.
• Vaginal dryness is often linked to hormonal changes like menopause. About 50% of postmenstrual women experience this leading to discomfort. 
• Scar tissue from surgery or childbirth, which may cause discomfort.
• Past trauma or anxiety, leading to involuntary muscle tightening.

5. Fecal Incontinence (Bowel Control Issues)

If you’re struggling to control your bowel movements, it could be due to weak pelvic floor muscles. This can happen after childbirth, surgery, or with age. Weakness in the anal sphincter and surrounding muscles can make it difficult to hold in stool or gas, leading to accidents.

💡 Fact: About 20% of women who have had a vaginal birth experience fecal incontinence later in life.

Causes and Risk Factors

Why do these pelvic floor problems happen? Here are some common causes you need to know in order to check for yourself if you need a pelvic floor treatment:

• Pregnancy and Childbirth – The weight of carrying a baby and the strain of delivery can weaken the pelvic floor. Research suggests that 50% of women who give birth have some form of pelvic floor dysfunction. 
• Aging – As women age, muscles naturally lose strength, including the pelvic floor muscles resulting in incontinence and prolapse. 
• Obesity – Extra weight puts pressure on your bladder and pelvic organs, increasing the risk of incontinence and prolapse by 60%. 
• Chronic Constipation – Frequent straining to poop weakens the muscles and increases pressure on the pelvic floor.
• Hormonal Changes (Menopause) – Lower estrogen levels can make the muscles less elastic and weaker, leading to dryness and pain.
• Heavy Lifting – Repeatedly lifting heavy objects (including toddlers!) without proper technique can strain the pelvic floor. Additionally, women in physically demanding jobs are twice as likely to develop prolapse or incontinence. 
• Past Surgeries or Trauma – Pelvic surgeries (like hysterectomies) or injuries can impact muscle function, causing pain and weakness.

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help

The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence! 

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy offers non-invasive, drug-free, and highly effective treatments for pelvic floor issues. 

Here’s how our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in North York and Downtown Toronto works:

1. Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (Kegels & More)

• Strengthens weak muscles for better bladder and bowel control. 
• A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, like the one Stay Active Rehabilitation has, will teach you how to properly engage these muscles (because most people do Kegels wrong!)

2. Biofeedback

• Uses special sensors to show how your pelvic floor muscles are working.
• Helps you learn to contract or relax the right muscles.

3. Manual Therapy (Hands-On Techniques)

• If your pelvic floor muscles are too tight, they need to be released.
• A pelvic floor physiotherapist may use internal or external techniques to relax the muscles and reduce pain. 

4. Education & Lifestyle Changes

• Learning proper bladder habits (e.g., avoiding “just in case” peeing!).
• Improving posture and movement to reduce pelvic floor strain.
• Dietary tips to prevent constipation and support gut health.

5. Pessary Support for Prolapse (A Non-Surgical Option)

• A pessary is a small, medical device inserted into the vagina to support prolapsed organs. 
• A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help fit one for you if needed. 

Take Control of Your Pelvic Health with Stay Active Rehabilitation

If you’re ready to take control of your pelvic health, Stay Active Rehabilitation is here for you!

📍 Why Choose Stay Active Rehabilitation?

• One-on-one, personalized care.
• Proven techniques that actually work.
• A comfortable and supportive environment.

Don’t wait—your pelvic health matters!

Click here to book your FREE 20-minute Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens during a pelvic floor physiotherapy session?

During your first session, your physiotherapist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. They may assess your posture, breathing, and core strength. If needed, an internal exam may be performed (always with your consent) to check pelvic floor muscle function. Based on the assessment, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan, which may include exercises, manual therapy, and education.

2. How long does it take to see results from pelvic floor physiotherapy?

Results vary depending on the severity of your condition and consistency with exercises. Many women start noticing improvements within a few weeks, while others may need a few months for lasting results. Sticking to your treatment plan and following your physiotherapist’s advice will help speed up your recovery.

3. Is pelvic floor physiotherapy only for postpartum women?

No! While postpartum recovery is a common reason women seek pelvic floor physiotherapy, it benefits anyone experiencing pelvic floor issues. Whether you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, or even post-menopausal changes, pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve your pelvic health at any stage of life.