How to Advocate for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy With Your Doctor
Because your symptoms are valid—and you deserve answers
Let’s be honest—talking about pelvic floor symptoms like leaking, pain with intimacy, or pelvic heaviness can feel uncomfortable. For many people, it’s not exactly easy to bring up during a doctor’s appointment. But here’s the truth: your concerns are real, and you deserve to be heard.
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a safe, effective, evidence-based approach to treating a wide range of pelvic health conditions. Still, it's often underutilized—sometimes because providers simply don’t bring it up. That’s why learning how to advocate for pelvic floor therapy with your doctor can be a game-changer for your health.
Whether you’re dealing with symptoms or just want to better understand your body, here’s how to start the conversation and get the support you deserve.
🧠 Step 1: Understand What Pelvic Floor PT Can Help With
Before you bring it up, it helps to know what PFPT actually treats. A pelvic floor physical therapist can support both women and men experiencing:
Urinary or fecal leakage
Pelvic organ prolapse
Chronic pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
Endometriosis-related discomfort or painful periods
Constipation or straining
Diastasis recti
Pregnancy & postpartum recovery
Erectile dysfunction or prostatitis
If any of these sound familiar, you are absolutely within your rights to ask about physical therapy.
🗣 Step 2: Practice How You’ll Bring It Up
The hardest part is often just saying the words out loud. Preparing a short script or phrase you feel comfortable with can help make the conversation easier. Here are a few ideas:
“I’ve been learning about pelvic floor physical therapy and would like a referral.”
“I’m dealing with [leaking/pain/pressure], and I’d like to explore PT before trying other treatments.”
“I believe my pelvic floor might be contributing to my symptoms—can we talk about that?”
Even a simple one-liner can open the door to better care.
📄 Step 3: Bring a Resource (or a Name!)
Not all doctors are familiar with pelvic floor therapy. It’s okay to bring a handout, research article, or even the name of a provider you’ve looked into. You might also want to bring:
A printed educational sheet about PFPT
A list of symptoms you're experiencing
A referral form or insurance requirement
The name of a local pelvic floor therapist (like Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness 👋)
You can always say:
“I found a provider I’d like to work with—can you write me a referral?”
🔁 Step 4: Follow Up If You’re Dismissed
If you’ve ever heard things like “Just do some Kegels” or “That’s normal after having a baby,” you’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t important.
If your concerns are brushed off, here’s what you can do:
Reiterate your symptoms and ask again, confidently
Request a second opinion or speak to another provider
Go directly to a pelvic floor PT if your state allows direct access (Rhode Island does!) This means that we do not need a referral to see you!
✨ Reminder: Leaking is common, but it’s not normal. And pain is never just something you have to live with.
💪 Step 5: Trust Yourself
You know your body best. If something feels off—whether it's leaking, pain, pelvic pressure, or recovery after childbirth—you deserve care that listens and looks deeper.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is not a last resort. In many cases, it should be the first step toward long-term healing.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're looking for a supportive space to explore your pelvic health, we’re here to help. Whether you're ready to book an evaluation or still gathering information, you’re not alone.
👉 Contact us today to learn more about how pelvic floor PT can support you
👉 Book a free phone consultation to talk with a therapist
👉 Follow us on Instagram @rhodeislandpelvicwellness for tips, encouragement, and education
You deserve answers. You deserve support. You deserve to feel good in your body.
Let’s start that conversation—together.
