I Don’t Need Pelvic Floor PT, I’ve never had a baby!

Author: Dr. Robin Ellis PT, DPT, OCS

Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Only for People Who Have Carried a Baby?

When most people hear “pelvic floor therapy,” they immediately think of postpartum care. And while it’s true that pelvic PT can be life-changing for people recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, that’s just one small piece of the puzzle. 

The truth? You don’t have to have ever been pregnant—or even plan to be—for pelvic floor physical therapy to make a huge difference in your quality of life.

Let’s talk about five very real, very common scenarios that have nothing to do with pregnancy, and everything to do with pelvic health.

1. Pain with Intimacy or Pelvic Exams

If you’re experiencing burning, stinging, tightness, or general discomfort with penetration of any kind, pelvic floor therapy can help address muscle tension, nerve sensitivity, and movement patterns that might be contributing to the problem. This is something no one really talks about (AND exactly why we should be talking about it!).

2. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Yes, it’s more common after childbirth, prolapse can and does occur in people who have never been pregnant. Heavy lifting, chronic constipation, and even aging can place strain on pelvic organs over time. Pelvic floor therapy can help improve symptoms like pressure or heaviness—often without the need for surgery.

3. Urinary Dysfunction

Leaking when you sneeze, feeling like you always have to go, or struggling to fully empty your bladder aren’t things you just have to “live with.” These symptoms are often related to incoordination, tension, or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles—things we’re specifically trained to address. You can learn to live without these symptoms.

4. Bowel Dysfunction

Trouble with bowel movements, including constipation, pain during or after voiding, or even fecal leakage, can be directly tied to how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. Pelvic PT can help retrain those muscles and restore function you didn’t even know you were missing.

5. Low Back or Hip Pain

The pelvic floor is part of your core—and if it’s not doing its job well, your back and hips will feel it. I often see patients with chronic back or hip pain that has not improved with traditional PT, only to find that pelvic floor dysfunction was the missing piece all along.

So if you’ve always thought pelvic floor therapy was just for postpartum moms, think again. Your body—and your symptoms—might be trying to tell you it’s time to pay a visit, no baby required.