Find a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist in Australia

Pelvic floor symptoms are common, but they should not be something you simply have to put up with. A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess whether your pelvic floor muscles are weak, overactive, tight or poorly coordinated and recommend treatment suited to your body.

Find a pelvic health physiotherapist near you

Use one of these Australian directories to find an appropriately trained pelvic health physiotherapist in your area.

If you are unsure where to begin, your GP, a pelvic health physiotherapist or the free National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 can help you find the most appropriate support.

When to seek help

Consider making an appointment if you experience:

  • Urine leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercising
  • A sudden or frequent need to urinate
  • Difficulty starting urination or fully emptying your bladder
  • Accidental leakage of bowel motions or difficulty controlling wind
  • Constipation, straining or difficulty completely emptying your bowel
  • Vaginal heaviness, dragging, pressure or a noticeable bulge
  • Pelvic, vaginal, vulval, bladder, bowel, coccyx or lower abdominal pain
  • Pain during or after sex
  • Pain or difficulty inserting a tampon, menstrual cup, disc or other internal product
  • Difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor or a feeling of persistent tightness
  • Pain when attempting pelvic floor exercises
  • Uncertainty about whether you are performing pelvic floor exercises correctly
  • Symptoms that interfere with exercise, work, sleep, sex or everyday activities

Pelvic floor problems are not always caused by weak muscles. Tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles can also contribute to pain, urinary urgency, constipation and difficulty using internal products. Doing more pelvic floor strengthening exercises without first understanding what is causing your symptoms can sometimes make things worse.

An individual assessment can help determine whether you need strengthening, relaxation, coordination exercises or another form of treatment.

Pregnancy, birth and recovery

You may find pelvic health physiotherapy helpful:

  • During pregnancy to manage pelvic girdle pain, bladder leakage or pelvic pressure
  • Before giving birth to prepare the pelvic floor and discuss birth recovery
  • After a vaginal or caesarean birth
  • Following perineal tearing, an episiotomy or birth trauma
  • When returning to running, lifting or higher-impact exercise after birth
  • If bladder, bowel, prolapse or pain symptoms continue after birth
  • For assessment and treatment of abdominal separation

You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe. Early assessment can provide reassurance, identify contributing factors and help prevent symptoms from becoming more disruptive.

Menopause and later life

Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect the bladder, vagina and surrounding pelvic tissues.

Consider seeking help if you develop new leakage, urinary urgency, pelvic pressure, discomfort during sex or difficulty exercising comfortably.

A pelvic health physiotherapist may work alongside your GP or another health professional, particularly where vaginal dryness, recurrent urinary symptoms, prolapse or menopausal changes are involved.

When to see your GP first

A pelvic health physiotherapist can help manage many pelvic floor symptoms, but they cannot diagnose every possible underlying medical condition. Speak with your GP if you experience:

  • New, persistent or worsening pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Very painful, unusually heavy or significantly changed periods
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex
  • Any vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Unusual vaginal discharge, fever, chills or feeling unwell
  • Blood in your urine or bowel motions
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • A sudden change in bladder or bowel function
  • Symptoms that could be related to endometriosis, infection or another medical condition

Seek urgent medical attention

Seek urgent medical care if you have:

  • Sudden or severe pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Severe bleeding
  • Fainting or dizziness
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Fever with significant pelvic pain
  • A sudden inability to urinate

If symptoms are severe or you feel seriously unwell, call Triple Zero (000) or attend your nearest emergency department.

These directories are operated by independent professional organisations. Period Shop does not endorse or receive payment from individual practitioners listed. This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.