Urinary incontinence means leaking urine without meaning to. It affects many women after childbirth and around menopause, and many men after prostate surgery. Because people are often embarrassed, they may live with it for years, but it is a treatable condition.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is the recommended first treatment for many types of incontinence, and it is delivered in private by our pelvic floor specialist.
Common signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence
- Leaking when coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or exercising (stress incontinence)
- A sudden, strong urge to pass urine and leaking before reaching the toilet (urgency incontinence)
- Passing urine very often, or waking at night to go
- A feeling that the bladder does not empty fully
- Dribbling after passing urine
How we help
We take a full history and, with your consent, assess the pelvic floor muscles to understand whether they are weak, overactive or poorly coordinated. Your programme is then matched to the cause.
Treatment may include pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, bladder retraining and advice on fluids, caffeine, constipation and lifting.
Treatments we use
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Biofeedback
- Bladder retraining
- Lifestyle and fluid advice
- Post-prostatectomy rehabilitation for men
Recovery and what to expect
Many people notice improvement within six to twelve weeks of regular pelvic floor training.
Urinary Incontinence: frequently asked questions
Is leaking after childbirth normal?
It is common, but not something you should have to accept. Pelvic floor physiotherapy helps most women improve.
Can men get pelvic floor physiotherapy?
Yes. It is especially effective for leakage after prostate surgery, and starting early speeds recovery.
Are pelvic floor exercises enough on their own?
Doing them correctly is crucial, and many people do not. An assessment ensures you are using the right muscles at the right level.