Members of a Pelvic Floor Health Team
A urogynecologist is a health care professional trained to help you if you experience any pelvic symptoms. These include leaking urine or stool, bulging of your womb or vaginal wall, difficulties with urination or defecation, sexual problems, pelvic pain and other similar issues related to your pelvic floor. After carefully recording your symptoms, a urogynecologist will perform a detailed pelvic exam and order some diagnostic tests if necessary. You will then be offered treatment options based on your diagnosis. These include conservative options such as pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications or medications, and surgical options such as a prolapse repair or an incontinence procedure. A urogynecologist may also refer you to another pelvic health care professional such as a nurse continence advisor or a pelvic physiotherapist.
A nurse continence advisor is a health care professional with a solid grasp of bowel and bladder incontinence and other pelvic floor concerns. A nurse continence advisor can help you with best lifestyle and nutrition for a healthy pelvic floor, can coach you with strengthening your pelvic floor muscles or relax them if they are too tight and can teach you how to use various continence products such as pessaries and catheters.
A pelvic health physiotherapist is a registered physiotherapist with post graduate training in the assessment and treatment of pelvic health conditions affecting bladder and bowel function, continence, pelvic organ support, sexual function, and pelvic pain. With your pelvic health physiotherapist, you will discuss your story and symptoms, medical history, physical activity, emotional well-being as well as your goals and expectations for treatment. A detailed physical exam will follow which may include an internal pelvic exam. Pelvic floor exams are not mandatory however can give valuable information about various aspects of the pelvic floor including muscle tension, symmetry, strength, endurance, coordination, reflexes, tissue quality and integrity of organ support. A treatment plan will then be created with you, which may include addressing pelvic floor muscle function, lifestyle and behavioural factors, as well as general movement and fitness. Pelvic Health Physiotherapy is considered a conservative, first-line treatment for many pelvic health conditions and is supported by high quality scientific evidence.
A personal trainer is a certified fitness professional who can help you achieve fitness and wellness goals. Thankfully the fitness industry has recognized the importance of the pelvic floor and more and more organizations are certifying trainers to help women with pelvic floor disorders. Great women’s health personal trainers work collaboratively with pelvic health physiotherapists and some even work alongside them in their clinics. Personal trainers who work with pregnant women also play a valuable role in promoting movement that trains the body for birth and take into consideration the best restorative exercises and core retraining elements new parents should consider to ensure pelvic health for life.