Written by Libby Borman
Senior Women’s Health Physiotherapist at Life Ready Physio + Pilates Yokine
BSc Physiotherapy, GCert ClinPhys (Continence & Women’s Health)
Women’s health physiotherapists undergo specialised training to understand the unique physiology of women born with female anatomy, including the hormonal shifts that occur throughout life—from menstrual cycles and pregnancy to childbirth, perimenopause, and menopause.
They’re equipped to help women navigate the challenges that can arise at each stage, offering tailored support for a variety of issues. Here are just a few examples of how they can make a difference:
Teenagers and young women
- Painful periods, endometriosis
- Inability to wear tampons or pain with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia or vaginismus) Bladder issues such as stress incontinence, nocturnal enuresis or incomplete emptying
The childbearing years (Pregnancy and postnatal recovery)
- Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
- Exercise advice for each trimester
- Relaxing pelvic floor muscles for birth
- Recovering from childbirth be it an episiotomy or caesarean scar
- Pelvic Floor Muscle rehab after birth
- Return to exercise advice postnatally.
- Abdominal muscle separation (rectus diastasis)
- Breast issues such as mastitis, grazed nipples and blocked milk ducts
Perimenopause and menopause
- Bladder leakage: overactive bladder symptoms or stress urinary incontinence
- Bowel leakage or faecal incontinence
- Vaginal heaviness or prolapse
- Sexual dysfunction: pain, lack of sensation, physical limitations
- Exercise for osteoporosis prevention
- Strength training to improve muscle mass
What does a women’s health physio appointment typically involve?
- A good chat! We need to ask you lots of questions to understand what your symptoms are and to help make a diagnosis.
- An assessment: If your tummy, breasts or perineum are of concern, we can assess to see what is wrong. We often use a real time ultrasound on the tummy to look through your bladder to check how your pelvic floor muscles work. Sometimes we suggest a vaginal or rectal assessment as this can help diagnose any delayed healing, prolapse or bladder issues.
- A treatment plan: We want to know your personal goals and educate you about what you can do to help achieve them.
- Treatment: This depends on what your symptoms are. Treatment could include massage, manual therapy, ultrasound, low level laser therapy, advice regarding belts or tummy supports, or a pessary fitting for prolapse.
- Exercises:Most women get some exercises to improve their pelvic floor muscle function, abdominal strength or to improve leg, arm or back strength. Women with osteoporosis need the right type of exercises to improve their bone density.
- Referral:We may recommend a local exercise class (like our Mums and Bubs or Pilates classes) or suggest you see a doctor to discuss a prescription or further investigations
Book now
If you think you may need some help with a women’s health concern, please reach out to a women’s health physiotherapist at a clinic listed below. You do not need a doctor’s referral but if you have seen a specialist doctor about a women’s health issue, then a summary letter from them may be helpful.
Life Ready Physio + Massage Yokine
Life Ready Physio + Pilates Inglewood
Life Ready Physio + Pilates Cockburn
Life Ready Physio + Pilates Canning Vale
Life Ready Physio + Pilates Floreat
Life Ready Physio + Pilates South Perth
Life Ready Physio + Pilates Spearwood
Please note some of the conditions mentioned above require assessment from our senior women’s health physiotherapists, who hold additional post graduate training. These practitioners can be found at our Yokine, Midland, Busselton and Mandurah clinics.
We encourage you to reach out to your local clinic and connect with our friendly reception team, who will help match you with the practitioner best suited to your needs. Alternatively, you can conveniently book online at any time.
