Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health – www.specialist.physio

What is Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy?

Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapists work with people with conditions such as bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain in people of any gender and pelvic organ prolapse in women, as well as considerations relating to the pregnant, postnatal and paediatric populations.

Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapists work in a biopsychosocial framework providing trauma informed care. Specialists are often consulted for second options in complex cases such as people with complex pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and sexual pain.

Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health physiotherapy treatment may include hands-on treatment techniques, education, breathing and relaxation exercises, specific activity advice and prescription and progression of exercise programs.

Who can they help?

Areas of practice within women’s, men’s and pelvic health physiotherapy relate to specific body areas or pain conditions. These might include working with:

Conditions of bladder dysfunction in people of any gender
Conditions of bowel dysfunction in people of any gender
Conditions of sexual dysfunction in people of any gender
Conditions of pelvic pain in people of any gender
Pelvic organ prolapse in women
Conditions relating to the pregnant, postnatal and paediatric populations.

Specialist Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Specialist women’s, men’s and pelvic health physiotherapists have attained formal recognition of their expertise via Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. This is the highest level of clinical qualification available in Australia.

Specialist women’s, men’s and pelvic health physiotherapists are often involved in providing second opinions or specialist care for people with these more complex women’s, men’s and pelvic health conditions. This can work in a variety of different ways. They may provide:

Shared-care (collaboration with the doctor and local/treating physiotherapist or other health professional)
Specialist care (a course of treatment delivered by the specialist physiotherapist, potentially as part of a multidisciplinary approach. Common for more complex cases)
Broader recommendations for management (eg. around diagnosis, recovery expectations and referral to other medical or healthcare specialists).

Every person has their story

Mia's Story

Mia is a 26 year old woman who has a 5 year history of bladder urgency, frequency and bladder discomfort. She has seen multiple medical practitioners, tried medications, and has had many investigations but despite this she still has ongoing bladder discomfort and pain. Mia has heard from her doctor that physiotherapy may help her condition. Her local physiotherapist felt that Mia’s condition was more complex and beyond her level of experience, so she suggested Mia see a specialist Men’s, Women’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist with advanced training in pelvic health conditions.

Mia has attended a specialist physiotherapist for an expert opinion on further options for managing her condition. She receives an evidence informed diagnosis, a list of the factors contributing to her problem, a plan for management, a time frame for expected progress with her plan and a follow-up appointment in two weeks.