Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When these muscles
are weak, tight, or not coordinating properly, it can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction a condition that
affects both men and women.
Many people live with symptoms for months or years, thinking it’s just “normal” after pregnancy, aging,
or certain health conditions. The truth is: pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable with physiotherapy.
Here are 5 signs you may have pelvic floor dysfunction:
1. Leaking or Rushing to the Bathroom
Do you leak when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise? Or do you feel sudden, urgent urges to use the
washroom, sometimes not making it in time? Both stress incontinence (leaks) and urge incontinence
(urgency/frequency) are common signs of pelvic floor dysfunction.
2. Bowel Issues
Difficulty emptying your bowels, accidental leakage of stool or gas, or frequent straining can indicate
your pelvic floor isn’t working properly.
3. Pelvic or Low Back Pain
Persistent pain in the pelvis, hips, tailbone, or lower back, especially if other treatments haven’t helped
may be linked to tight or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles.
If you live with endometriosis, the chronic pelvic pain and tension it creates can cause your pelvic floor
to become overactive, contributing to pain with periods, intercourse, or even bladder and bowel
function.
4. Painful Intercourse or Pelvic Exams
Discomfort or pain during intimacy or medical exams can be related to overactive or non-relaxing pelvic
floor muscles.
5. Prolapse
A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or bulging in your vagina or rectum could be a sign of pelvic organ
prolapse, where organs shift downward due to weakened support.
Why See a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist?
Pelvic health physiotherapy helps restore strength, coordination, and relaxation in the pelvic floor
muscles. Treatment is personalized and may include education, exercises, hands-on therapy, and
lifestyle strategies.
You don’t have to live with these symptoms. The earlier you get assessed, the sooner you can feel relief
and regain confidence in your daily life.
Book your pelvic health physiotherapy appointment today and take the first step toward better
bladder, bowel, and pelvic health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is leaking when I sneeze or laugh normal?
It is common - especially after pregnancy or with age - but it is not something you must live with. Stress incontinence responds very well to pelvic floor physiotherapy.
What happens at a pelvic floor assessment?
A private, consent-based conversation and assessment with a trained pelvic health physiotherapist. Every step is explained first, and treatment plans are built around your comfort level.
Do men need pelvic floor physiotherapy too?
Yes - pelvic pain, post-prostate-surgery recovery and bladder issues in men respond to pelvic health treatment as well. The pelvic floor is not only a women's health topic.
Ready to get treated? Learn more about pelvic floor physiotherapy at Rejoice Physiocare - direct insurance billing, evening and Saturday appointments. Call (905) 507-0888.
Sources and further reading
General health information from independent public and professional sources. It does not replace an assessment with a registered clinician.
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Physiopedia
- Urinary incontinence, NHS
- Pelvic organ prolapse, NHS
