When to Seek Help

When to Seek Help

Knowing when to seek professional help for pelvic floor issues can sometimes be unclear. Many people delay getting help due to embarrassment or thinking their symptoms are “normal.” This guide will help you understand when it’s time to reach out to a healthcare professional.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Pelvic floor problems are:

• Very common (affecting millions of people)
• Nothing to be ashamed of
• Medical conditions, not personal failures
• Almost always treatable or manageable

Red Flag Symptoms: Seek Help Immediately

Contact your GP or go to A&E if you experience:

Urgent Medical Attention Needed:

• Blood in your urine - especially if accompanied by pain
• Sudden, severe pelvic pain - that doesn’t improve with rest
• Complete inability to urinate - medical emergency
• Severe pain during urination with fever - could indicate serious infection
• Sudden loss of bowel control - especially with back pain or weakness in legs
• Numbness or tingling in your genital area or inner thighs

When to See Your GP: Common Symptoms Checklist

Make an appointment with your GP if you have any of the following:

Bladder Symptoms:

• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise
• Sudden, urgent need to urinate that’s hard to control
• Frequent urination - more than 8 times during the day
• Getting up to urinate 2 or more times per night
• Difficulty starting or stopping your urine stream
• Feeling like your bladder doesn’t empty completely
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Recurring urinary tract infections

Bowel Symptoms:

• Difficulty controlling bowel movements
• Leaking stool or inability to control gas
• Severe constipation that doesn’t improve with diet/lifestyle changes
• Straining significantly during bowel movements
• Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
• Pain during bowel movements

Physical Symptoms:

• Bulging sensation in your vagina
• Feeling of pressure or heaviness in your pelvis
• Something falling out or protruding from your vagina
• Chronic pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months
• Pain during intercourse that doesn’t improve with lubrication and patience
• Lower back pain combined with pelvic symptoms

Impact on Daily Life:

• Avoiding activities you enjoy because of pelvic symptoms
• Planning your life around bathroom locations
• Waking up tired due to frequent nighttime urination
• Limiting fluid intake to avoid accidents
• Using pads or adult diapers regularly
• Feeling anxious or depressed about your symptoms

Don’t Wait If:

Symptoms Are Getting Worse:

• What started as occasional leaking is now happening daily
• You’re using more pads or protective products
• Symptoms are affecting more areas of your life

Self-Help Isn’t Working:

• You’ve tried pelvic floor exercises for 3+ months without improvement
• Lifestyle changes haven’t helped after giving them a fair trial
• Symptoms persist despite your best efforts

You’re Avoiding Normal Activities:

• Skipping social events or exercise because of your symptoms
• Limiting work or daily activities
• Avoiding intimacy with your partner

Specific Situations: When to Seek Specialized Help

Pregnancy-Related:

• Severe leaking during pregnancy that affects daily life
• Pelvic pain that interferes with walking or daily activities
• Concerns about preparing your pelvic floor for delivery

Postpartum (After Birth):

• Leaking continues beyond 6 weeks after delivery
• Severe pain during intercourse at your 6-week check
• Feeling of bulging or prolapse
• Difficulty with bowel control

Menopause-Related:

• Sudden onset of pelvic symptoms around menopause
• Worsening of existing symptoms during menopause transition
• Severe vaginal dryness affecting daily life

Men-Specific:

• Problems after prostate surgery or treatment
• Difficulty with erections combined with urinary symptoms
• Pelvic pain that doesn’t respond to usual treatments

What Stops People from Getting Help?

Common Concerns (And Why They Shouldn’t Stop You):

“It’s too embarrassing”

• Healthcare professionals see these problems every day
• They are trained to discuss intimate health issues professionally
• Your comfort and health are their priority

“It’s probably normal for my age”

• While some changes occur with aging, significant symptoms are not “normal”
• Many age-related pelvic issues can be successfully treated
• You deserve to feel comfortable at any age

“There’s probably nothing that can be done”

• Treatment options have dramatically improved in recent years
• Most people see significant improvement with appropriate help
• Even severe symptoms often have effective management strategies

“I should be able to fix this myself”

• Some issues require professional assessment and treatment
• Self-help is important, but sometimes expert guidance is needed
• Getting help early often leads to better outcomes

Preparing for Your Appointment

Before You Go:

• Keep a symptom diary for a few days - when, what, how much
• List your medications - some can affect bladder/bowel function
• Write down questions - it’s easy to forget in the appointment
• Consider bringing a trusted person for support if helpful

Information to Share:

• When symptoms started and how they’ve changed
• What makes symptoms better or worse
• How symptoms affect your daily life
• Previous pregnancies, surgeries, or medical conditions
• Current medications and treatments you’ve tried

Types of Healthcare Professionals Who Can Help

First Contact:

• GP (General Practitioner) - your first port of call
• Practice nurse - often experienced in continence issues

Specialists:

• Pelvic floor physiotherapist - specialized in pelvic muscle problems
• Urogynaecologist - doctor specializing in pelvic floor disorders
• Urologist - specialist in urinary system problems
• Colorectal specialist - for bowel-related issues

Remember

You are not alone. Millions of people experience pelvic floor problems, and healthcare professionals are there to help, not judge. Getting help early often leads to better outcomes and prevents symptoms from worsening.

Your quality of life matters. You don’t have to “just live with” symptoms that affect your daily activities, sleep, work, or relationships.

Treatment works. The vast majority of people with pelvic floor problems see significant improvement with appropriate treatment.

Take the first step - make that appointment. Your future self will thank you.

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If you’re anywhere across Northern Ireland, start by contacting your GP. You can contact your local health center or NHS 111 for guidance. We provide support and information to people throughout Northern Ireland.