Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems (antenatal and postnatal):
- pelvic girdle pain (previously known as symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD)
- back pain and/or sciatica
- separation of the tummy muscles (rectus diastasis)
- carpal tunnel syndrome
Gynaecological problems, including incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain symptoms:
- frequency passing urine – going to the toilet to pass urine more than 6-8 times a day
- urgency, urge incontinence and overactive bladder – a sudden compelling urge to pass urine, and maybe leaking on the way to the toilet
- stress urinary incontinence – caused by a rise in intra-abdominal pressure (eg coughing, sneezing, shouting, laughing, lifting, bending or standing up from sitting)
- faecal urgency and/or incontinence – a sudden strong urge to open their bowels, and/or not making it to the toilet and losing stool
- difficulty controlling wind
- pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, bowel or uterus) – when the bladder, womb or bowel bulges into the vaginal walls
- rehab after gynaecological surgery, including hysterectomy
- sexual dysfunction (including pain on sexual intercourse and vulval pain)
These conditions may have a number of causes but are usually associated with weak pelvic floor muscles (see The pelvic floor).
Male incontinence and/or pelvic floor problems, including :
- frequency
- stress urinary incontinence
- urgency and/or urge incontinence
- after-dribble (aka ‘post-micturition’ dribble) – leaking a small amount of urine leaving the toilet
- faecal urgency and/or incontinence
- difficulty controlling wind
- rehab after prostate surgery (prostatectomy or TURP*)
*TURP: transurethral resection of the prostate
These problems are often linked to weak pelvic floor muscles, although it is best to be assessed by a specialist therapist to see if pelvic floor muscle training is appropriate.
Men and women experiencing problems initiating the flow of urine, or who have to strain to empty their bladder, or have blood in their urine or pain on emptying their bladder, should always seek professional help.
