When all you need is someone who understands

Hormone therapy can bring many positive changes, but it can also influence how your body feels and functions, including your pelvic health. Changes to bladder, bowel, sexual health and pelvic pain can occur as your body adapts to different hormone levels. For people taking testosterone, lower oestrogen levels can affect the tissues of the vagina and vulva, sometimes causing dryness, irritation, discomfort with penetration or changes in bladder function. Some people may also experience increased pelvic floor muscle tension, which can contribute to pelvic pain, bowel or bladder concerns, or discomfort during intimacy. For people taking oestrogen, changes in sexual function can occur as the body adjusts to treatment. This may include changes in libido, arousal, erections or ejaculation. After gender affirming surgery, pelvic health physiotherapy can also support recovery by helping with pelvic floor function, bladder and bowel health, scar management and vaginal dilation where appropriate. These changes do not happen to everyone, but if something feels different, uncomfortable or is affecting your daily life, it is worth paying attention to. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and provide practical strategies to improve comfort and function. Your body is constantly changing, and hormone therapy is one part of that picture. Understanding those changes can help you feel more informed and confident in looking after your pelvic health.

Encopresis is when a child regularly soils their underwear after the age they would usually be toilet trained. For many children, this happens because of long-term constipation, stool withholding, or reduced awareness of the body’s signals that tell them they need to do a poo. When stool builds up in the bowel over time, the rectum can stretch and become less sensitive. This means children may not feel the urge to go, and softer stool can leak around the blockage without them realising. This can be frustrating and upsetting for both children and parents, but it is very common and treatable. Pelvic health physiotherapy can play an important role in helping children manage encopresis by improving bowel habits, supporting healthy toileting routines, and helping the bowel return to normal function. Treatment may include: Education for both parents and children about how the bowel works and why soiling happens Helping children develop regular toilet routines, especially after meals when the bowel is naturally more active Improving toilet posture, including correct foot support and positioning, to make bowel motions easier to pass Teaching breathing and relaxation strategies to reduce straining, fear, or withholding behaviours Supporting children to better recognise body signals and respond to the urge to open their bowels Addressing pelvic floor muscle tension or coordination difficulties that may affect bowel emptying Working through sensory challenges, toileting anxiety, or distractions that may contribute to accidents Pelvic health physiotherapy is gentle, supportive, and child-focused. Appointments are designed to help children feel safe and comfortable while also giving parents practical strategies to use at home. The goal is to reduce accidents, improve bowel emptying, and make toileting a less stressful experience for the whole family. With patience and the right support, children can regain confidence and work toward long-term healthy bowel habits.