There’s a reason why people say they go to the toilet to relieve themselves - emptying your bowel completely and easily is extremely satisfying! We had such a great response to a previous blog we wrote “5 Tips For A Perfect Poo”, we thought we would follow up by answering some of our commonly asked questions about bowels. This may help you get that feeling of relief on the toilet!

Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy (WMHP) exists to restore pelvic health, empowering every person to live their best life. This is our cause, our belief and what we stand for. As the physiotherapists treating, guiding and supporting you to restore your pelvic health, it is vital that we are all clear on what you would like to achieve as we embark on your journey to pelvic health.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Australia. Receiving this diagnosis can be a difficult experience for men and their families. There is often emotional and psychological distress faced throughout the cancer journey.

In 2013 I gave birth to my first child who was delivered via forceps after a long labour. At the time I needed a blood transfusion and I was told I had sustained a 3rd degree tear. It was another 16 months before I was diagnosed with a bilateral levator avulsion and subsequent prolapses. As a first-time mother, I didn’t identify as having birth trauma. I didn’t even realise birth trauma was a thing.

Common breast issues whilst breast feeding are called Inflammatory Conditions of the Lactating Breast (ICLB) and cover a variety of different symptoms. Unfortunately, the occurrence of ICLB is the main reason for women choosing to cease breastfeeding. Therefore, it is extremely important that multidisciplinary, evidence-based care is given to women in a timely manner so that they can continue to breastfeed.

Persistent Pelvic Pain Syndrome (PPPS) is a debilitating condition that has a huge negative impact on men’s physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing. It is more common than you think, with a study reporting 8% of Australian men identify as having pelvic pain. It is particularly distressing as many of the things men take for granted – sitting, walking, exercising, urinating, defaecating, sexual arousal and ejaculation - can cause crippling, agonising pain.

During pregnancy, there is a large amount of pressure placed on the pelvic floor muscles. Imagine the pelvis is like a trampoline; the rim being the bones of the pelvis, the springs being the ligaments and the mat being the pelvic floor muscles. The weight of the growing baby, hormonal changes and weight gain, weaken and stretch the mat and the springs, which is exacerbated further by vaginal birth. It is well known that weakness of the pelvic floor muscles (the mat) can lead to the development of poor control of the bladder and bowel (incontinence) and pelvic organ prolapse.

Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) is defined as persistent pain for greater than 6 weeks, in the bladder, urethra or perineal area (the area between your pubic bone and tailbone) that isn’t caused by an infection. People with BPS will often have a strong and regular urge to urinate.

Are you worried about leaving the house before you’ve emptied your bowels? Is urgently needing to empty your bowel affecting your daily routine?

So many of our patients diagnosed with a prolapse stop exercising. Exercise may exacerbate their prolapse symptoms, or they may be worried about making their prolapse worse. But exercise is so crucial to look after both physical and mental health. One of the most common questions we get from our patients with prolapse is: what type of exercise am I able to do?