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Pelvic floor repair
- Expert care from leading pelvic health specialists
- Tailored treatment plans offering surgical and non-surgical approaches
- A reassuring network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics
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Pelvic health at HCA UK
Why choose us?
Good pelvic health supports a whole range of vital bodily functions from bowel movements to urination and sexual health. That means maintaining it is important for both your physical and mental wellbeing. We provide specialist, tailored care whether you’re preparing for childbirth or simply want to stay in great health as you age.
You’ll be looked after at our exceptional private facilities by leading consultants who’ll perform diagnostic tests with a quick turnaround to determine the next steps in your care. For a personalised plan to improve your pelvic health whether that’s through private pelvic floor physiotherapy or surgical repair, talk to us.
You’ll be looked after at our exceptional private facilities by leading consultants who’ll perform diagnostic tests with a quick turnaround to determine the next steps in your care. For a personalised plan to improve your pelvic health whether that’s through private pelvic floor physiotherapy or surgical repair, talk to us.
Your pelvic floor muscles form a sling-like structure that sits at the bottom of your pelvis. They provide essential support to your bladder, bowel, uterus and your reproductive organs.
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) happens when you can't relax and control these muscles correctly. If you’re experiencing any of the following challenges associated with your pelvic floor health, we can help:
- Urinary incontinence
- Faecal incontinence
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Painful sex
- Constipation
We can also help with a range of other pelvic health issues that aren't linked to your pelvic floor muscles such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Whatever your condition, we offer specialist expertise and ongoing therapeutic support to help you improve and manage it.
Whatever your condition, we offer specialist expertise and ongoing therapeutic support to help you improve and manage it.
The symptoms of poor pelvic health are extremely varied, and they include persistent pain in your lower abdomen, back or pelvic area, and discomfort during sex. Irregular menstrual bleeding patterns may also be linked to conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction or endometriosis.
If you’re experiencing bladder or bowel complications, for example if your body is leaking urine or stool, or if you have constipation or a frequent need to urinate, these may all be related to poor pelvic health too.
If you’re feeling pressure or heaviness around your lower tummy and genitals, you may have pelvic organ prolapse and you may even feel or see a bulge in your vagina or coming out of it.
Everyone's body is unique. Our expert consultants, including gynaecologists, urologists, physiotherapists and surgeons, will work with you to investigate and understand your personal condition and get you on to the best treatment pathway.
If you’re experiencing bladder or bowel complications, for example if your body is leaking urine or stool, or if you have constipation or a frequent need to urinate, these may all be related to poor pelvic health too.
If you’re feeling pressure or heaviness around your lower tummy and genitals, you may have pelvic organ prolapse and you may even feel or see a bulge in your vagina or coming out of it.
Everyone's body is unique. Our expert consultants, including gynaecologists, urologists, physiotherapists and surgeons, will work with you to investigate and understand your personal condition and get you on to the best treatment pathway.
This a complex area and there are numerous reasons you may develop pelvic health complications. These include:
- A natural weakening of muscles with age
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Overuse of your pelvic floor muscles, such as straining when going to toilet
- Injuries and damage to your pelvic floor
- Past surgery such as a hysterectomy to correct pelvic organ prolapse
- Obesity
Accurately identifying the underlying cause is key to creating an effective treatment plan.
If you feel something isn't right, or if discomfort or pain is interfering with your everyday life, it's best to get checked by one of our specialists.
Struggles such as difficulty emptying your bladder, pain during sex or an inability to control your bowel movements shouldn't be ignored, especially if there are no signs of improvement over time. Sometimes physiotherapy can provide simple, effective solutions.
If you're pregnant, prioritising your pelvic floor health can reduce the risk of prolapse and other complications. Our comprehensive services, including private pelvic floor physiotherapy, can help to keep your pelvic muscles strong and responsive throughout and beyond your pregnancy.
If you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, it’s important to seek advice as soon as possible. Early consultation can help you to explore non-surgical treatments and potentially avoid the need for pelvic floor repair surgery.
Struggles such as difficulty emptying your bladder, pain during sex or an inability to control your bowel movements shouldn't be ignored, especially if there are no signs of improvement over time. Sometimes physiotherapy can provide simple, effective solutions.
If you're pregnant, prioritising your pelvic floor health can reduce the risk of prolapse and other complications. Our comprehensive services, including private pelvic floor physiotherapy, can help to keep your pelvic muscles strong and responsive throughout and beyond your pregnancy.
If you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, it’s important to seek advice as soon as possible. Early consultation can help you to explore non-surgical treatments and potentially avoid the need for pelvic floor repair surgery.
200+
women’s health consultants
48-hour
turnaround for diagnostic results
One-stop
dedicated clinics offering full investigation and treatment plans
Next day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours
Specialist care
Talk to women’s health GPs and consultants
Dedicated facilities
Spaces specifically designed for women
Your patient journey
What to expect from a private pelvic health consultation
We want to quickly find what’s causing your symptoms and get you on the road to good pelvic health. Our consultants will ask a series of questions to help us build an accurate picture, before recommending the best treatment pathway. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us.
01
Diagnosis
Your specialist consultant will ask questions about your bowel movements, urination patterns and whether you have any pain during sex. They may then carry out a thorough pelvic exam to assess your pelvic floor muscles and identify any tender areas or unusual growths. They’ll also want to conduct a range of relevant tests and scans. These may include an MR proctogram which can help us to evaluate the relationship between your pelvic floor muscles and your bladder, vagina and rectum.
02
Treatment
Your consultant will recommend the best treatment plan which may include simple, lifestyle changes to relieve your symptoms. Non-surgical approaches such as tailored pelvic floor health physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen your muscles can also help. Our skilled teams offer surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse and other complications too. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.
03
Aftercare
You'll receive comprehensive aftercare, regardless of the procedure or treatment you need. That’ll include advice and support to help you recover after pelvic floor repair or any other surgical procedure. As you transition from our private facilities to your home, one of our pelvic health physiotherapists will give you a pelvic floor exercise plan to help you stretch and strengthen these muscles after surgery and we’ll keep monitoring your condition.
Where can I access pelvic health care?
You can access HCA UK’s specialist pelvic health services in our exceptional facilities across London. You’ll have access some of the country’s most respected experts who can help, from initial consultation through to treatment and next steps.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Pelvic health FAQ
Yes, childbirth can affect your pelvic floor health. Because you gain weight during pregnancy, your pelvic floor muscles can become strained. That means you’re more prone to risks such as urinary incontinence, constipation and other issues during pregnancy. The hormonal changes you experience can impact your pelvic floor health too, causing greater flexibility and less stability in your pelvic floor muscles.
With support from our specialists, you can minimise these risks by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles during and after pregnancy. Get in touch, we’re here to help.
With support from our specialists, you can minimise these risks by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles during and after pregnancy. Get in touch, we’re here to help.
Doing pelvic floor exercises at home as part of your everyday routine is the best way to improve your pelvic floor strength. A pelvic floor physiotherapy specialist can offer you personalised advice, especially if you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort.
They’ll provide you with tailored exercises which will probably include a combination of long and short squeezes, where your vaginal muscles are squeezed up and in. You should do this with your back passage closed – imagine trying to stop yourself from passing wind. Generally, it's recommended that you gradually build up these exercises, so you eventually do them three times a day.
Aside from protecting against pelvic health issues, pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help you to have a safer pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal experience. It can aid good sexual function and enhance your core strength too, making it a valuable addition to your daily fitness routine.
They’ll provide you with tailored exercises which will probably include a combination of long and short squeezes, where your vaginal muscles are squeezed up and in. You should do this with your back passage closed – imagine trying to stop yourself from passing wind. Generally, it's recommended that you gradually build up these exercises, so you eventually do them three times a day.
Aside from protecting against pelvic health issues, pelvic floor physiotherapy can also help you to have a safer pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal experience. It can aid good sexual function and enhance your core strength too, making it a valuable addition to your daily fitness routine.
You’ll be assigned an HCA UK pelvic health physiotherapist who understands your specific condition and how best to help you. They’ll be an expert in women's health and skilled at knowing how to support you.
Your pelvic floor training plan will start with an initial consultation and a pelvic floor examination. From there, they’ll be able to tailor your treatment plan to enable better pelvic floor health whether you have a gynaecological, pelvic, bowel, antenatal or postnatal condition. That plan might focus on massage and specific exercises or on adjusting your posture.
Your expert physiotherapist can also analyse how you move and make focussed recommendations. They may even suggest treatment using an electrical simulation device. This is a probe placed in your vagina with an electrical current running through it that can help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Your pelvic floor training plan will start with an initial consultation and a pelvic floor examination. From there, they’ll be able to tailor your treatment plan to enable better pelvic floor health whether you have a gynaecological, pelvic, bowel, antenatal or postnatal condition. That plan might focus on massage and specific exercises or on adjusting your posture.
Your expert physiotherapist can also analyse how you move and make focussed recommendations. They may even suggest treatment using an electrical simulation device. This is a probe placed in your vagina with an electrical current running through it that can help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
A pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of your pelvic organs slips down you’re your vagina. It can cause complications such as urinary or faecal incontinence and urinary tract infections. While it isn't life-threatening, it can be painful and cause discomfort.
Fortunately, lifestyle changes and treatment options like pelvic floor physiotherapy and surgery can significantly improve your symptoms.
An MR proctogram is a useful diagnostic tool which can help us to assess your pelvic floor muscles. This includes understanding how they interact with your bladder, vagina and rectum.
Before the exam takes place, you’ll be given an enema to empty your bowels. Once you're lying comfortably on your side, jelly will be inserted into your rectum. You'll need to retain it, because once your body is inside the MRI scanner, you'll be asked to push the jelly out to recreate a bowel movement.
You may need to repeat the process a few times, especially if you can't expel the jelly. You’ll be asked to go to the toilet before the next round of imaging. These images are then analysed by your consultant before a follow-up appointment, where they’ll discuss what they found and the best next steps.
Before the exam takes place, you’ll be given an enema to empty your bowels. Once you're lying comfortably on your side, jelly will be inserted into your rectum. You'll need to retain it, because once your body is inside the MRI scanner, you'll be asked to push the jelly out to recreate a bowel movement.
You may need to repeat the process a few times, especially if you can't expel the jelly. You’ll be asked to go to the toilet before the next round of imaging. These images are then analysed by your consultant before a follow-up appointment, where they’ll discuss what they found and the best next steps.
Our patient’s pelvic health stories
Antonia’s chronic endometriosis
Antonia was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1994, at the age of 24, after she had been experiencing chronic pelvic pain and heavy periods.
“We recognise the impact that poor pelvic health can have on your overall wellbeing. Our specialist teams will use advanced diagnostic tools and evidence-based therapies to give you the highest standard of care for everything from pelvic floor surgery to pelvic inflammatory disease.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.