Pelvic floor disorders affect 1 in 3 women — understand your pelvic health and find effective treatment options.
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These symptoms are common — but they are not normal, and they are treatable. 💡 Many women live with pelvic floor dysfunction for years believing it's just part of being a woman or having a baby. It isn't. Effective treatment is available — the first step is speaking to a specialist.
Leaking urine during activity
Leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise (stress incontinence) is common but not normal — and is highly treatable.
Urgency or inability to hold on
Rushing urgently to the toilet or not making it in time (urge incontinence) signals an overactive bladder that can be effectively managed.
Pelvic heaviness or bulging sensation
A feeling of pressure, heaviness or something falling out of the vagina may indicate pelvic organ prolapse — see a urogynaecologist.
Persistent pelvic or lower abdominal pain
Ongoing pain that isn't explained by your menstrual cycle or a known condition warrants assessment — it is not something to simply endure.
Pain during or after intercourse
Painful sex (dyspareunia) or vaginismus has treatable causes — a pelvic physiotherapist or gynaecologist can help identify the root cause.
Bowel dysfunction
Difficulty controlling wind or faeces, constipation or straining are signs of pelvic floor dysfunction and should be discussed with a specialist.
Connect with HPCSA-registered pelvic health specialists — physiotherapists, urogynaecologists and more across SA.
Pelvic Physiotherapists
Pelvic floor assessment & rehabilitation
Urogynaecologists
Incontinence & prolapse specialists
Gynaecologists
Pelvic pain, endometriosis & menstrual health
Urologists
Bladder function & incontinence care
Colorectal Surgeons
Bowel-related pelvic disorders
Pain Specialists
Chronic pelvic pain management
Postpartum Physios
Core & pelvic recovery after childbirth
Women's Health GPs
First-line pelvic health assessment
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Start a discussionPelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most prevalent and under-treated health issues affecting women in South Africa. Estimates suggest that up to one in three women experience some form of pelvic floor disorder during their lifetime — yet the majority suffer in silence, believing their symptoms are a normal consequence of childbirth or ageing. They are not. Effective, evidence-based treatment is available, and the first step is education.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that form the base of the pelvis, supporting the bladder, bowel and uterus. These muscles control urinary and faecal continence, support pelvic organs, contribute to sexual function, and play a critical role in stabilising the spine and pelvis during movement. Both weakness and excessive tension in the pelvic floor can cause symptoms — which is why a proper assessment is essential before beginning any exercise programme.
The most common pelvic floor conditions in women include urinary stress incontinence (leaking with physical activity), urge incontinence (sudden urgency), pelvic organ prolapse (descent of the bladder, uterus or rectum into the vaginal canal), overactive bladder, and hypertonic (too-tight) pelvic floor dysfunction. Conditions like endometriosis, interstitial cystitis and vaginismus also have significant pelvic floor involvement. Many of these conditions respond excellently to pelvic physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications and, where indicated, surgical intervention.
A pelvic health assessment by a trained pelvic floor physiotherapist typically involves a thorough history, external and internal assessment of muscle function, and the development of an individualised treatment plan. Every woman who has given birth — regardless of whether she had a vaginal or caesarean delivery — benefits from a postnatal pelvic floor assessment. HealthLab’s professional directory can help you find a qualified pelvic health physiotherapist or urogynaecologist in your area across South Africa.
