Have you ever jiggled with your front‑door key, convinced you needed the loo right now? You are so not alone—and if that's happened, this blog is definitely for you.
We’re lifting the lid on something hugely important yet still whispered about: pelvic‑floor health. Too often, it’s dismissed as “just ageing”—but let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’re talking to Louise Field, a pelvic‑health specialist with a fitness background whose passion is infectious. She's here to empower you—especially if you're navigating midlife—with clear advice, practical tools and a whole lot of reassurance.
What on earth is the pelvic floor?
Imagine a hammock of muscles nestled at the base of your pelvis. That’s your pelvic floor. It supports your bladder, bowel and uterus and helps regulate wees, poos, wind—and yes, your sex life too.
Louise likes to say it sits “right at the centre of your body. Whether you’re dancing or sneezing, it’s quietly at work.”
But the move is to get that balance just right—not too stiff, not too floppy.
Why are we still whispering about it?
Amy put it best: “I’m embarrassed by how little I knew.” It turns out a lot of women feel the same. Louise adds: “We don’t get taught this at school, it barely comes up in fitness training, and even doctors may skim over it until it's too late.”
So it’s no surprise people undergo changes in silence that could be helped—or even reversed.
Not just post‑baby problems
Pelvic‑floor issues aren’t just for mums. As a kid, your mumble “I can’t go in that loo” might create patterns that stick. Fast‑forward a few decades and stress, hormones or how you exercise may take their toll.
Louise says she often meets women who’ve accepted nightly wees or peeing when they laugh as part of life. “They don’t realise those things can really improve.”
Midlife and menopause: things feel different “down there”
When oestrogen dips, the pelvic region feels it immediately—dryness, itching, more UTIs, and that vague “not quite right” sensation. It has a name: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). Around 70% of women go through this, but fewer than 10% get treatment.
Louise insists it doesn't have to be this way. Help is out there—but most women don’t know about it.
I mentioned leakproof pants once...
Amy shared her “midlife trio”—testosterone, HRT and leakproof pants—and the feedback was huge. Many messaged back: “Thank you for saying this out loud... I thought I was alone.”
Louise applauds the confidence leakproof knickers give—but cautions, “They’re a brilliant safety net, but not the long‑term fix. With the right support, you can make real changes.”
So, what sort of things signal you need to tune in?
Louise often asks people: “Do you leak when you laugh? Are you always scouting for the nearest loo? Is sex uncomfortable, or do you feel something is just ‘off’?”
If you’re getting up multiple times a night, feeling heavy down below or repeatedly dealing with dryness or infections, don’t shrug it off—it’s your body’s way of demanding attention.
It’s not all about muscles—it’s about the mind too
Ever notice urgency going from zero to ten as you get near home or a loo? That’s because your bladder is a smoothmuscle like your heart, and it reacts not just to fullness but to your brain’s signals too.
Louise suggests simple practical strategies
-
Try breathing deeply and saying to yourself, “I’m okay.”
-
Try counting backwards or humming in your head.
-
Raise and lower your heels gently if you’re stuck in a line.
-
Curl and uncurl your toes to help your nervous system relax.
It might seem daft, but sometimes that’s all it takes to buy you a few extra seconds.
Are you doing Kegels… correctly?
Most women know about Kegels, but many don’t do them properly—they squeeze the bum, hold their breath or over‑clench. Louise says it’s all about precision. “These muscles need intelligent training—not just squeezing harder.”
And keep in mind: some folks need to relax their pelvic floor first, not strengthen it. That’s where working with someone knowledgeable makes a difference.
When a pelvic‑floor physio is the game‑changer
If you’re confused about what to do—or feel stuck—a session with a pelvic‑floor physio can feel transformative. You can go through the NHS, seek out research‑accredited private practitioners, or explore the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) directory for specialists.
Louise also runs the Adore Your Pelvic Floor Programme, made for midlife and beyond. Around 85% of her participants report great outcomes. She’s active on Instagram too—dozens of short clips and real‑talk advice are available at @adoreyourpelvicfloor.
Helpful UK-based pelvic‑health resources
If you’d love some reading, support or a qualified directory, these are gold
-
The Pelvic Floor Society – patient info, surgeon standards, resources
-
UK Continence Society – training, research and public advice
-
Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) – official pelvic‑floor guidance
-
Bladder & Bowel UK – confidential helplines and advice
-
Pelvic Pain Support Network – peer community for chronic pain
-
Pelvic Partnership – support for pelvic‑girdle discomfort in pregnancy
A few keystone habits
Besides shoes‑on, mind‑body tricks and professional help, Louise highlights a few essentials:
-
Local oestrogen – small, targeted oestrogen for the vagina can do wonders for dryness, soreness and UTIs. It’s trusted and recommended by NICE.
-
Skip those “intimate” washes – they often upset your pH. Stick with water or a soft emollient like Oilatum.
-
Hydration matters – often it’s not about drinking more, it’s about drinking mindfully and easing back on triggers like caffeine.
-
Supportive products – leakproof pants can help, and sprays such as nudi spray offer reassurance while you work on the underlying issues—check out nudispray.com.
It’s more than just you
If you’ve thought, “This isn’t that bad—I’ll just cope,” think again.
Pelvic‑floor dysfunction is a major reason women move into residential care. UTIs, prolapse and leakage are still massively under‑treated. And the habits we reinforce with young people shape their lifelong pelvic health.
The good news? You absolutely deserve to feel strong, in control and at ease, in any decade of your life.
Final words from Louise
“Your pelvic floor connects everything—your feet, your jaw, your brain. When you acknowledge that, you can finally start caring for yourself in a meaningful way.”
So whether you’re managing leaks, discomfort or simply want to stay robust as you move through midlife and beyond, this is your moment. Help is out there. You are not alone.
