😮💨 It’s Not Just in Your Head: The Silent Weight of Pelvic Health Issues
When your body feels off, but no one’s listening
“I thought it was normal.”
It’s something so many women say about pain during sex, bladder leaks when laughing, or the heavy pressure in their pelvis that they brush off as “just tiredness.”
But what if those symptoms weren’t just part of being a woman?
What if they were signs your pelvic floor the group of muscles that supports your bladder, bowel, and uterus is under strain?
This post explores how pelvic health issues show up, why they’re often missed, and how to start decoding what your body might be trying to tell you.
🧠 1. What Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Feels Like
Pelvic floor issues aren’t always loud they often creep in quietly. You might notice:
Leaking when you cough, laugh, or run
Pain or discomfort during sex
Needing to pee right now (or all the time)
A heavy, dragging feeling in your pelvis
Bloating or pressure without cause
Constipation or difficulty emptying your bowels
Lower back, hip, or tailbone pain
Many women are told these are “normal” especially after childbirth or with age. But common isn’t the same as normal.
🩺 2. Why So Many Women Are Dismissed
Here’s the truth: pelvic health is still taboo even in healthcare.
Many women are:
Misdiagnosed with anxiety or IBS
Told to “just do some Kegels”
Embarrassed to ask for help
Unaware that pelvic physiotherapy exists and is available through the NHS in some areas
And if you’re younger, a black woman, or haven’t had children? You're even less likely to be taken seriously.
⚖️ 3. The Symptom Overlap
Pelvic health issues often overlap with other symptoms, including:
Fatigue
Painful sex
Low mood
Digestive discomfort
Back or hip pain
This makes it hard to know where to start. Many women blame themselves or assume “this is just how my body works now” when in fact, the pelvic floor may be the missing piece.
You might not need to push through.
You might need to investigate your base.
🧘🏾♀️ 4. What Can Help
If this sounds familiar, here are some steps to consider:
👩🏽⚕️ Ask your GP for a pelvic health physio referral
It’s more than just exercise they assess you properly and tailor support to your body.
🧠 Track your symptoms
Keep a journal of when things flare with food, exercise, your cycle, stress, etc.
🚽 Avoid straining on the toilet
Let your breath do the work. Sit with feet on a low stool (squat position helps).
🏃🏾♀️ Move mindfully
Yoga, walking, and breathwork can help relieve tension particularly for women with an overactive (too tight) pelvic floor.
💬 Talk about it
Whether to a friend, physio, or us here don’t let silence keep you uncomfortable.
🌿 Final Thought
Your pelvis holds more than your organs.
It holds your stress. Your trauma. Your strength.
If something feels off even if no one else has taken you seriously it’s valid. It’s worth checking. And there are people who can help.
Pain, leaking, discomfort, disconnection these aren’t things you have to “just live with.” There’s support out there, and you deserve it.
📚 Further Reading
Use these key words for your search.
Pelvic floor dysfunction and physiotherapy
What is pelvic health physio
Pelvic pain and prolapse support
💬 Let’s Talk
Have you ever been told pain or leaking was “normal”? Did you get support or are you still trying to figure it out?
Comment below or share your story anonymously it might help another woman feel less alone.
