About Women's Health...
Men and women have many of the same health problems, but they can affect women differently (for example, women may have different symptoms of heart disease and some conditions such as osteoarthritis, are more common in women). Pregnancy and childbirth can cause other problems by weakening abdominal muscles and causing:
- Antenatal and postnatal pelvic pain
- Incontinence
- Pelvic floor problems
- Prolapse
- Abdominal muscle problems
- Diastasis recti (divarication)
Urinary incontinence affects people of all ages - including those who are active. By the age of 55 one woman in four leaks on coughing or sneezing or suffers from frequency or urgency of urination. These problems can start at an early age, for example after childbirth. Most women accept some degree of incontinence as a normal part of their life stage and assume they can do nothing about it but physiotherapy can play a vital part in eliminating or reducing the condition. Our physiotherapists are specially trained to assess the muscles of the pelvic floor and to give expert advice on how to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
There are several other types of incontinence and some people experience bowel incontinence, which means they can't always control the passage of wind or faeces. Weak pelvic floor muscles can also cause sexual difficulties such as reduced vaginal sensation.
In severe cases, the internal organs supported by the pelvic floor, including the bladder and uterus, can slide down into the vagina. This is called a prolapse. A distinct bulge in the vagina and deep, persistent vaginal aching are common symptoms.
Our physiotherapists are trained to evaluate these problems and provide you with expert advice on how to manage specific conditions.
For more information please contact us or phone 01454 618 525.