Talking Intimate Health

By Gemma McGregor

Gemma runs a busy private woman’s health clinic, is a mother of three very small children, and an advocate for informing and educating all things intimate about woman's health. Over the forthcoming QueenBee issues, Gemma will guide us through subjects that maybe we’re a little afraid to ask about.

So, here’s a bit more from Gemma and what she does…

Everyone knows how to tone up their muscles – we join a gym or go to a yoga/pilates class (even if we are guilty of not doing it enough). We also all know what to do if we have injuries that are affecting us – we go to see a specialist.

But what about that huge muscle called your Pelvic floor? What do we do if that is not working as it should do? After all, it’s pretty important – it helps control our bladder and bowel functions, offers structural support around the pelvis, provides vital support in pregnancy and helps us to enjoy sex amongst other things.

For pelvic floor, or any intimate woman’s health concerns, I would strongly suggest you see a woman’s health specialist physiotherapist. Please remember, even though your symptoms appear to be common, they are never normal. There is a solution.

Here are some of the reasons many women seek my support, if you can relate to any of these please don’t suffer in silence, there is treatment available.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) in Pregnancy

PGP can really take all the enjoyment out of pregnancy. Pain and inflammation in the pelvis causes difficulties, walking, standing on one leg, turning in bed or MOST importantly getting that good night sleep you really need.

Leakage

There are two main reasons the bladder may leak. In either of these cases it is NEVER normal, yet common and likely something you have lived with for some time. The caused is when the pelvic floor and urinary sphincters (the trap doors) are not able to stop wee when pressure inside the tummy increases. The other type of urine leakage is known as ‘Urgency’ or ‘Urge incontinence.

There are two main reasons the bladder may leak. In either of these cases it is NEVER normal, yet common and likely something you have lived with for some time.

Prolapse

Heaviness, lumps bumps and bulges, difficulty getting a tampon to stay in are all common symptoms of vaginal prolapse. We see most ladies with these symptoms after a pregnancy and around the menopause as this is usually when our bodies oestrogen supplies are lower.

Painful Sex

Sex should never be painful and the key to getting the route of the problem is finding a clinician you trust to talk openly and honestly about your symptoms and how it is impacting you and your relationships. We understand it is a highly sensitive and personal issue but it is so important you do not suffer these symptoms in silence.

Pelvic Floor Weakness

As part of a supervised pelvic floor exercise programme a women’s health physio can give you an internal examination which involves no equipment other than a finger to be able to grade your pelvic floor strength from 1 to 5. You can therefore be taught how to do exercises personalised to you and begin to improve your pelvic strength.

The Mummy MOT

This one hour postnatal check will give you the opportunity to discuss any physical or emotional worries. This will involve - diastasis assessment (tummy separation), pelvic floor muscle assessment, postural screen, and screening for any bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction. Painful tears or scars are assessed and concerns about C-section scars can be assessed and treated.

Breast Cancer

Women’s health physios are also specialists in musculoskeletal assessment following breast cancer surgery from lumpectomy’s to reconstruction. Treating common complications like cording, exercise programmes or fatigue, or post radiotherapy tightness. Chemotherapy itself can cause some significant pelvic floor symptoms and we can look at all of these as part of your assessment.