A Pre-Gynaecological Surgery Check is specifically for women who are planning to have gynaecological surgery like:

  • Hysterectomy
  • Prolapse surgery
  • Incontinence surgery

Based on current research evidence and our collective experience as Women’s Health Physiotherapists, we have designed this appointment to help you prepare your body for surgery and to optimise your recovery.

Women’s Health Physiotherapists are trained to assess your bladder, bowel and pelvic floor function. We can then advise you if there is anything that you need to change in the lead up to your surgery.

The pelvic floor muscles are designed to support your organs and control bladder and bowel emptying. Our physiotherapists use real time ultrasound and other assessments to measure your current pelvic floor function, and teach you how to switch on your pelvic floor and other ‘core’ muscles correctly.

Certain activities, such as lifting, sneezing, and passing a bowel motion can place strain on the supportive pelvic ligaments, or prolapse repair surgery. Our physiotherapists will teach you how to engage the pelvic floor muscles effectively to protect your body during these activities.

After your surgery, it is important to rebuild strength, endurance and coordination in your pelvic floor muscles. This is particularly true if you want to participate in activities like running and jumping. Pelvic floor muscle training can start before your surgery, and we can consult with your surgeon about when you are able to resume training post-operatively.

Finally, some women have additional pelvic floor issues that may not be fully resolved through surgery. Physiotherapy can often be effective in treating, for example, overactive bladder symptoms in women who are having a hysterectomy.