Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Treatment in London
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder and bowel, and helps you control when you pass urine. When these muscles are weak, overly tense or not working in coordination, you may experience symptoms such as leakage, urgency, pelvic heaviness or difficulty emptying your bladder.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect both men and women. With the right assessment and a structured rehabilitation plan, symptoms can often be improved.
What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles across the base of the pelvis. These muscles support the bladder and bowel. In women, they also support the uterus. They help control the urethra, which carries urine out of the body, and the back passage.
The muscles work in the background throughout the day. They tighten when you cough, sneeze, laugh or lift, then relax when you pass urine or open your bowels.
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles are weakened, overstretched, too tense or poorly coordinated. In women, this may be associated with pregnancy, childbirth or the menopause. In men, symptoms may develop after prostate surgery or alongside long-term straining.
Symptoms can include urine leakage, a sudden need to pass urine, pelvic pressure or heaviness, incomplete bladder emptying, pelvic discomfort and changes that affect intimacy or sexual confidence.
Because the pelvic floor is made up of muscles, it can often be retrained. A proper assessment helps identify whether the muscles need strengthening, relaxing or improving in coordination, so treatment can be tailored to your symptoms.
Signs of a struggling pelvic floor
You may notice one symptom or a combination of symptoms.
Leakage and urgency
Leaking urine when you cough, laugh or exercise, or a sudden urge to pass urine that is difficult to control.
Heaviness and emptying problems
A dragging or heavy feeling in the pelvis, or a sensation that your bladder has not emptied fully after passing urine.
Comfort and intimacy
Pelvic discomfort, pain or changes in sexual sensation and confidence. These symptoms can affect both men and women.
How we assess pelvic floor dysfunction
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms, medical history and the impact they are having on your daily life. Assessment is designed to understand how your pelvic floor is functioning and whether other bladder or bowel conditions may be contributing.
Consultation and symptom assessment
A detailed conversation about your symptoms, previous pregnancies or surgery where relevant, medical history and any factors that may be affecting bladder or bowel control.
Urine test
A urine test may be recommended to check for infection, blood or other changes that can cause similar symptoms.
Further testing where needed
If symptoms are complex or do not fit a clear pattern, your consultant may recommend tests such as a bladder scan, urine flow test or urodynamic testing to assess how the bladder stores and releases urine.
From assessment to rehabilitation
The first step is understanding whether the pelvic floor is weak, overly tight or not working in the right way. Your consultant will also consider whether bladder emptying problems, urinary incontinence or another condition may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment is then tailored to what is found. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is often the starting point, with a programme designed around your individual needs. If leakage or bladder symptoms require additional treatment, your consultant will explain the options and arrange the most appropriate next steps.
Treating pelvic floor dysfunction
Assessment comes first. Your treatment plan is then built around what your pelvic floor needs, with structured rehabilitation forming an important part of care for many people.
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
A structured and supervised programme to help strengthen, relax or improve coordination in the pelvic floor muscles. Your programme will reflect your symptoms and the findings from your assessment.
Female Urinary Incontinence
If urine leakage is the main concern, your consultant may recommend assessment through our female urinary incontinence pathway.
Male Incontinence
For men with urinary leakage, including symptoms following prostate surgery, assessment and treatment can be coordinated through our male urinary incontinence pathway.
Why choose The Forbury Clinic for pelvic floor dysfunction in London?
Treatment based on the underlying problem
Weak, overactive and poorly coordinated pelvic floor muscles need different approaches. Assessment helps ensure rehabilitation is targeted to your symptoms.
Structured rehabilitation
A clear programme can help you understand how your pelvic floor is functioning and what you can do to support improvement.
Care for men and women
Pelvic floor dysfunction is not only a women’s health issue. Men can also benefit from assessment and rehabilitation, particularly following prostate surgery.
Joined-up urology care
Where pelvic floor symptoms occur alongside leakage, urgency or bladder emptying problems, your consultant can coordinate the appropriate care pathway.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do pelvic floor exercises on my own?
Some people can benefit from pelvic floor exercises at home. However, it is easy to use the wrong muscles, perform exercises incorrectly or focus on strengthening when the muscles actually need to relax. Assessment can help ensure your programme is appropriate for your symptoms.
Do men experience pelvic floor dysfunction?
Yes. Men can experience pelvic floor problems, including after prostate surgery. Symptoms may include urinary leakage, urgency, pelvic discomfort or difficulty with bladder control.
How long does pelvic floor rehabilitation take?
This varies depending on the symptoms, the underlying problem and how consistently the programme can be followed. Your consultant will explain what your rehabilitation plan involves and when your progress should be reviewed.
Do I need a referral?
No. You are welcome to self-refer and arrange a consultation directly with our team.
Get your pelvic floor properly assessed
Leaks, urgency, pelvic heaviness and bladder emptying problems can affect daily life, but you do not need to manage them alone. Our consultant urologists can help identify the cause and discuss the appropriate next steps.
- AppointmentBook a consultation
- Reception0118 920 7055
- Location
The Forbury Clinic London, 45 Queen Anne St, London, W1G 9J
