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💛 Pelvic Pain Awareness Month | May 2025
Pelvic floor physio for pelvic pain can help you better understand your symptoms, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. If you have ever been told to “just push through” pelvic pain or felt dismissed during a healthcare appointment, you are not alone and you deserve better care. 🤍
Pelvic pain affects millions of women worldwide, yet many people still struggle to access answers or effective treatment. In this blog, we will explore what pelvic pain is, why it is often misunderstood, and how a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help.
📊 Pelvic Pain Is More Common Than Many People Realise
Chronic pelvic pain affects an estimated 1 in 4 women worldwide, and around 1 in 5 women in Australia. Despite how common it is, pelvic pain remains under-recognised and under-treated.
Almost half of Australian women report experiencing pelvic pain within the past five years. Many wait years before receiving a diagnosis or appropriate support.
Pelvic pain can affect:
- 💼 Work and study
- 🏃♀️ Exercise and movement
- ❤️ Relationships and intimacy
- 😴 Sleep and energy levels
- 🧠 Mental and emotional wellbeing
Living with ongoing pain can feel isolating. However, persistent pelvic pain is not something you should simply “put up with.”
🩺 What Is Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Chronic pelvic pain refers to pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen lasting longer than six months. The pain may be constant or intermittent and can vary in intensity.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful periods
- Pelvic heaviness or pressure
- Pain with bladder or bowel function
- Persistent aching in the lower abdomen
- Pain that impacts daily activities
Pelvic pain is often complex. Some women have multiple contributing factors, while others may not have a clear structural diagnosis.
Conditions commonly associated with pelvic pain include:
- Endometriosis
- Vulvodynia
- Vaginismus
- Interstitial cystitis
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
The nervous system, stress, sleep, and emotional wellbeing can also influence how pain is experienced. 🧘♀️
For more information about women’s pelvic health conditions, explore our pelvic health services page at Uplift Women’s Health Collective Pelvic Health Services
🚩 Why Pelvic Pain Is Often Dismissed
Many women are told:
- “Painful periods are normal”
- “It’s probably stress”
- “Everything looks normal”
- “You’ll grow out of it”
Unfortunately, this can delay diagnosis and treatment for years.
Pelvic pain is real. It is not “just in your head.” Research continues to show that early intervention and multidisciplinary care lead to better outcomes. ✨
Seeking support early can help prevent symptoms from becoming more persistent and overwhelming over time.
🤍 What Does a Pelvic Floor Physio Do for Pelvic Pain?
A pelvic floor physio for pelvic pain looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms.
💡 It Is Not Just About Kegels
Many people assume pelvic floor physiotherapy only involves strengthening exercises. However, pelvic pain is often linked to pelvic floor muscles that are tight, overactive, or unable to relax properly.
In these cases, doing more squeezing exercises can actually worsen symptoms.
A proper assessment helps determine what your body truly needs.
📝 What Happens During a Pelvic Floor Physio Assessment?
Your assessment is tailored to your comfort level and individual symptoms.
A pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment may include:
- A detailed discussion about your symptoms and medical history
- Assessment of posture, breathing, movement, and mobility
- External assessment of the pelvis, hips, abdomen, and pelvic floor region
- Education about pain and the nervous system
- Discussion around lifestyle, stress, sleep, and daily habits
We always begin with an external assessment first. In some cases, an internal pelvic floor examination may be clinically helpful to better assess muscle function and contributing factors. However, this is only performed if it is appropriate for you, clearly explained beforehand, and completed with your full consent.
Internal examinations are always:
- ✅ Optional
- ✅ Explained clearly beforehand
- ✅ Performed at your pace
- ✅ Guided by your comfort and preferences
The goal is to help you feel informed, safe, and supported throughout the process. 🌿
👐 Treatment Options for Pelvic Pain
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pelvic pain treatment. Your physiotherapy plan will depend on your symptoms, goals, and contributing factors.
Treatment may include:
🌸 Pelvic Floor Muscle Relaxation
Learning how to release overactive pelvic floor muscles can help reduce tension and pain.
🫶 Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment techniques may help address muscle tightness, trigger points, and connective tissue restrictions.
🧠 Pain Education
Understanding how pain works within the nervous system can help reduce fear and improve confidence with movement.
🌬️ Breathing and Relaxation Strategies
Breathwork and nervous system regulation techniques can support symptom management.
🏋️♀️ Exercise Rehabilitation
Gentle movement and strength-based rehabilitation can improve function and reduce symptom flare-ups.
👩⚕️ Multidisciplinary Care
Your physiotherapist may work alongside your GP, gynaecologist, psychologist, or pain specialist to provide comprehensive care.
You can also learn more about our physiotherapy services here: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Services
📚 Does Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Help Pelvic Pain?
Yes, research strongly supports physiotherapy as part of best-practice pelvic pain management.
Recent evidence shows that multimodal physiotherapy can improve:
- Pain levels
- Function and movement
- Quality of life
- Confidence with exercise and intimacy
Australian clinical guidelines for endometriosis now include physiotherapy as a recommended conservative treatment option. ✨
Many women experience significant improvement when treatment addresses both the physical and nervous system components of pain.
⏰ When Should You See a Pelvic Floor Physio?
Consider seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist if you experience:
- Pain during or after sex
- Ongoing pelvic pain
- Painful periods affecting daily life
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness
- Endometriosis-related pain
- Pain after pregnancy, birth, or surgery
- Persistent symptoms despite normal scans or tests
You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking support.
Early assessment and treatment can make a meaningful difference. 🌱
💛 You Deserve To Be Heard
Pelvic pain is not something you should ignore or simply learn to live with. You deserve compassionate care, evidence-based treatment, and answers that make sense.
With the right support, many women experience meaningful improvements in pain, function, and quality of life.
This Pelvic Pain Awareness Month, trust your body and seek support if something does not feel right. 🌸
If you would like support from a pelvic floor physio for pelvic pain, our team at Uplift Women’s Health Collective is here to help.
📅 Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book Now or call us on (03) 8828 4761 to speak with our team and learn more about how pelvic floor physiotherapy may support your recovery.