How to Speak to Your GP or Health Care Professional About Pelvic Issues

Tip One

  • Be prepared to talk about your symptoms, decide which ones are most ‘bothersome’ and how long they’ve been an issue in your life

  • Don’t worry, you may consider your symptoms to be ‘toe curlingly’ embarrassing but honestly, a health professional will have heard them all before

Tip Two

  • Complete a three-day bladder diary to take to your appointment. A diary can help the clinician see a snapshot of how your bladder behaves. It’s an ‘objective’ measurement to support the symptoms you’re describing

Tip Three

  • Make a list to take along to your appointment because it’s easy to forget what you want to say. Make sure you list everything that’s on your mind - bowel problems, a feeling of ‘heaviness’ down below, discomfort during sex  

Tip Four 

An assessment with a pelvic health physiotherapist and most other health care professionals is likely to involve a physical examination. Here’s what to expect if you see a physio.

  • Be prepared for the pelvic floor examination to be ‘interactive’ and take a few minutes to complete. Don’t be embarrassed – remember your therapist is likely to have examined hundreds of women and will have a wealth of experience in ‘pelvic floors’

  • You should be comfortable, relaxed, have been given a clear explanation of what the internal vaginal examination will involve and know that you can opt out at any stage

  • The assessment is likely to include:

    • Checking the skin condition of the vulva and vaginal area

    • Assessing for weakness of the front and back vaginal walls (prolapse) on coughing

    • Palpating the resting background tone of the pelvic floor

    • Assessing the co-ordination of the pelvic floor movement with muscles

    • Making sure your muscles can fully release and relax

    • Evaluating the power, speed and endurance of the muscles

    • Check your technique and ability to perform an effective contraction

    • Note areas of sensitivity, tension and tightness

    •  A test to see if there's a reflex contraction of your pelvic floor when you cough

So the internal examination may take five minutes or more but the information that’s gathered combined with the discussion about your symptoms means that your physiotherapist is likely to be able to give an accurate diagnosis and put together an effective treatment plan.