Why We Need to Talk About Pelvic Floor Health
The pelvic floor is a vital part of a womans body, but is consistently one of the most misunderstood, overlooked, and under-discussed areas of wellbeing and health. There has been news recently that has brought much-needed attention to the concerning lack of awareness among women about pelvic floor dysfunction, and other pelvic health issues, often following childbirth. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a common condition that affects millions yet often goes unrecognised, untreated and just simply falls through the cracks as it’s ‘normal’ for women to suffer with pelvic floor issues post-partum.
From urinary incontinence and pelvic pain to sexual dysfunction and a weakened core, symptoms of a compromised pelvic floor can have a profound impact on a woman’s daily life, and the majority of women will experience some form of pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime. However, far too many women accept these changes as just a part of growing older, childbirth, or the menopause, and remain quiet instead of seeking help. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is calling for urgent action to raise awareness and improve access to pelvic floor support and education.
Their survey revealed that:
The majority (69%) of women had not spoken to anyone in the NHS about their pelvic floor health.
Over half (53%) of the women who had experienced symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction did not seek help from a healthcare professional.
Of these, 39% thought their symptoms were normal and 21% were too embarrassed.
Only 22% of women do their pelvic floor exercises regularly.
15% could not identify any common symptoms caused by a weak pelvic floor.
The figures are shocking, but not surprising. Here we look at exactly what is happening to women out there, why it matters and how modern technologies like Emsella are offering real hope and relief for women at all stages of life.
How Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Affects Women
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic region weaken or fail to function properly. These muscles play a crucial role in supporting the bladder, bowel, and uterus. Read more on the vital roles of the pelvic floor in our blog:'Unlocking vitality - 6 critical roles of the pelvic floor'
When these muscles become weakened, whether through pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes, high-impact exercise, surgery, or simply the ageing process, they may no longer provide the necessary support, as you would ordinarily expect from muscles that need to be conditioned whether through exercise or youth. Weak pelvic floor muscles can result in a range of distressing symptoms, most commonly including:
Stress urinary incontinence (leaking when coughing, laughing, or exercising)
Urgency incontinence (a sudden, intense need to urinate)
Pelvic pain or heaviness
Difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels
Reduced sensation or discomfort during sex
What’s especially troubling is how often these symptoms are ignored, downplayed, or hidden. A 2024 Guardian UK health survey revealed that 1 in 3 women experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, yet many never tell their doctor. Shame, embarrassment, or the belief that it's just part of getting older prevent women from accessing help.
RCOG and NICE Call for Change
The RCOG has now stepped forward to bring this issue to the fore, stressing the urgent need for better pelvic floor education, not just for new mums but for all women across at every stage of their life. Their recommendations align with updated NICE guidelines, which advise that all women, not just those experiencing symptoms, should be taught how to perform pelvic floor exercises correctly, and that high-risk women (such as postnatal or menopausal) should be offered supervised training with a pelvic health specialist.
This guidance has been in the pipeline for many years and is long overdue. Pelvic floor dysfunction has been seen as a niche issue, and the fact that it is so widespread has been ignored. New mums and older women being the most ‘at risk’ have been left to deal with it quietly, and there is much mystery around what advice, support and treatment there is available to women outside the private healthcare sector. The truth is, the pelvic floor is central to so many aspects of women’s health: starting with sexual wellbeing, posture, emotional confidence, and most prevalent incontinence.
According to the RCOG, pelvic floor issues can lead to a serious reduction in quality of life, affecting relationships, mental health, physical activity levels, and workplace participation. Yet because these problems are often invisible, many women struggle in silence.
The Role of the National Pelvic Health Service
In response to this growing awareness, initiatives like the National Pelvic Health Service (NPHS) have been launched across the UK to provide more comprehensive support. This includes better postnatal assessments, access to pelvic health physiotherapists, and a more integrated approach to gynaecological and urological care.
However, services are still inconsistent across the country, and waiting lists can be long. For many women, particularly those juggling work, family, and other responsibilities, attending regular physiotherapy appointments may feel unrealistic, even if they desperately want help.
What’s the answer?
Raising more awareness and education around the pelvic floor and how to keep your muscles strong and healthy could be the most important skills a woman needs as she navigates her life from teenager to her elderly years. Incorporating pelvic floor exercises, core strengthening, yoga and pilates into a healthy lifestyle is all that is needed to maintain the pelvic floor strength. Everyone is different, and some will not find it so easy to keep the pelvic floor strong, or experience a traumatic pregancy or childbirth that puts extraordinary pressure on the pelvic floor.
Alternative Pelvic Floor Strengthening Methods
Although not yet available through health care plans or the NHS, this subject demands new technologies like the Emsella Chair - a simple, non-invasive and painless treatment that strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. In simple terms, it’s a chair that does your Kegels for you - only far more effectively, a complete god-send to those who suffer with incontinence, and struggle with pelvic floor exercises.
In a single 30-minute session, Emsella delivers the equivalent of over 11,000 supramaximal pelvic floor contractions, something you could never achieve through voluntary exercise alone.
The Benefits of Emsella
Clinically Proven to Reduce Incontinence
Multiple clinical studies have shown that Emsella significantly improves symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. Many women report a dramatic reduction in leakage episodes* after just a few sessions - and some even regain full bladder control.
Non-Invasive and Effortless
Unlike surgery or internal therapies, Emsella is completely non-invasive. You remain fully clothed, and there's no downtime. You can fit it into your lunch break and carry on with your day.
Suitable for All Ages
Emsella is effective for women of all ages - whether you’re postnatal, peri-menopausal, or simply noticing changes as you age. It can also be used as a preventative treatment for those who want to maintain strong pelvic floor health.
Improves Intimacy and Confidence
Beyond physical relief, many women report improvements in sexual function, core strength, and overall confidence. When your pelvic floor works as it should, you feel stronger, more in control, and more connected to your body.
Boosts the Results of Other Treatments
Emsella can also complement other aesthetic or wellness treatments by strengthening your core and stabilising your posture. A strong pelvic floor is linked to better spinal alignment, improved balance, and reduced risk of injury.
Who Can Benefit from Emsella?
You may benefit from Emsella if:
You experience occasional or frequent bladder leaks
You feel urgency when you need to urinate
You have pelvic heaviness or pressure
You’ve had children (even years ago)
You’re in perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause
You find pelvic floor exercises difficult or ineffective
You want to maintain pelvic health as part of ageing well
The treatment is safe, FDA-approved, and backed by research, making it an ideal solution for women who want to take control of their pelvic health, without surgery, medication, or embarrassment.
The recent break in silence over pelvic floor health may finally be pushing this vital topic into the public conversation, but real change will come when more women feel empowered to speak up, ask questions, and explore their options. Understanding the important role of the pelvic floor through education at a young age will help to set the stage for a healthy pelvic floor through life's challenges.
If you’ve been quietly dealing with pelvic floor issues or want to prevent problems in the future, why not come and try Emsella at our Marlow clinic. Book an Emsella consultation on this link, alternatively, call us on 01628 308060 or email hello@springwellclinic.co.uk.