FAQs

What happens during an internal vaginal examination?

An internal vaginal examination is conducted by a trained Women’s Health Physiotherapist to assess your pelvic floor function. Before the examination, your Physiotherapist will explain why an internal assessment is required and give you a step-by-step explanation of the process. We will then ask for your consent to continue with the assessment.

We start the examination by looking externally at your ability to contract and relax your pelvic floor. If you are comfortable, a gloved finger is then inserted into the vaginal canal to assess your pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance and coordination. We will check to see if there is any pain or tenderness in the muscles. We will then assess for pelvic organ prolapse by checking where the bladder, cervix and bowel is sitting in relation to the entrance of the vagina.

The examination shouldn’t be a painful experience. We want you to feel comfortable and in control of your treatment. Whilst it may seem intimidating at first, all our assessments are conducted with your consent by a trained Physiotherapist. They will keep you informed at all times during the assessment and provide you opportunity to stop if needed.

Is there an alternative to being assessed internally?

We can conduct an external assessment using a real-time ultrasound machine. This is used over the stomach (above the pubic bone) to view the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. This assessment can show how your pelvic floor muscles contract, but it doesn’t provide information on the strength or tone of your pelvic floor muscles. Alternatively, we can place the ultrasound machine over the perineum (transperineal ultrasound) which provides more information on pelvic floor function and pelvic organ positioning for prolapse.

If these options don’t sound appealing, you can discuss other alternatives with your Physiotherapist.

Is there an additional cost to having a pelvic floor assessment done?

No, all pelvic floor examinations are covered under the cost of our Initial Women’s Health Assessment. Rebates are available for applicable private health. If you are referred through a GP management plan, there will be a gap payment.

I’m pregnant but not experiencing any problems - will I benefit from an assessment?

Absolutely! Our pregnancy consults are designed to help you through pregnancy and to prepare you for birth. We cover topics including:

• Pelvic floor muscle training – improving strength to reduce the likelihood of urinary leakage and facilitating pelvic floor relaxation for labour. This may include practicing pushing for labour and breathing strategies to assist with this.

• Education on postpartum care including appropriate exercises, management of abdominal separation and management of birth-related injuries e.g. perineal tears, prolapse.

• Management of pregnancy related pain.

• Education on birth injuries, including risk factors and ways to reduce your risk. An internal vaginal examination is suggested so we can understand your risk and to get a baseline measure.

• Guidance in regards to safe and appropriate exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. We want to get you back to your goals!

• Perineal massage.

• Education on labour positions.

At what stage during pregnancy should I see a Women’s Health Physiotherapist?

We recommend booking an initial appointment between 14 weeks and 20 weeks.

When should I see a Women’s Health Physiotherapist after birth?

We recommend booking an initial postnatal appointment between 3-6 weeks postpartum. If you have had any birth injuries or new onset symptoms, it would be best to book in at 3 weeks post-partum.

What should I wear to the session?

Please wear comfortable clothing which allows access to the body parts you are wanting assessed. Some assessments require partial undressing, for which we will ask your consent and provide you with towels to cover.