Emma's Story*

Step 1

Emma discovered what mattered

Emma (she/her) is a 29-year-old woman who was referred by her gynaecologist with a 3-year history of painful sex and persistent vulval irritation that was affecting her relationship and family planning goals. Emma shared that she had developed anxiety around intimacy after her symptoms began. Assessment included a pelvic floor, perineal and vulval examination. We discovered that Emma had trouble relaxing her pelvic floor muscles and vulval sensitivity and was generally holding tension in her body. Understanding the connection between her muscle tension, skin irritation, and emotional state was the first step toward healing.

Emma's Pelvic Health Goals:

  • Be able to have sex so I can have a baby, I have always dreamed of becoming a mother.
  • To enjoy sex and pleasure again, it is important to me and my relationship, and I'd feel more confident as a woman.
  • To get rid of the vulval irritation so I can wear jeans and sit for as long as I want to. This would help me to feel normal.

Step 2

Emma restored what mattered

Emma's treatment plan was gentle and progressive. She started with genital skin care education and pelvic floor muscle relaxation training. Using breathing exercises and general relaxation techniques, she learned to calm her nervous system and fear response to intimate touch. Desensitisation techniques helped her gradually reduce sensitivity, while education about pain and pleasure gave her confidence. Hands-on strategies helped Emma believe that she could reduce pain with touch through the new skills she had learnt. 

Step 3

Emma enjoyed what mattered

We celebrated each small victory - wearing jeans comfortably, sitting through a dinner, and eventually progressing toward intimate touch. It took Emma almost a year to achieve these pelvic health goals, but we made sure there were stepping stones along the way. She had a few setbacks, but persevered. We were thrilled to receive a message from her 12 months after her final consultation to say that she was 4 months pregnant with a baby boy - her dream of motherhood was becoming a reality.

* We share these stories to help bring our pathway to life. They’re based on years of experience and thousands of people we’ve supported with various pelvic health conditions. None of these journeys is of one particular patient, though. Instead, each one is an amalgamation of many successful outcomes.

Pelvic Health Matters

New name.
Same exceptional care.

Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.

Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au