Prolapse, pelvic pain/discomfort, faecal incontinence and constipation are common and distressing problems. Whilst some severe forms of constipation and incontinence require surgery, the majority of cases can be managed with non-operative treatment. This usually requires a combination of lifestyle modification, diet modification and pelvic floor exercises. Dedicated counselling with a pelvic floor physiotherapist or a continence nurse who can take the time to explain these modifications to you can be extremely helpful (to find a pelvic floor physiotherapist or continence nurse, see below or Mr Eugene Ong can assist you in finding one).
Fact sheets
The Department of Health and Ageing have produced useful information on the following topics:
Looking after your bowel
Poor Bowel Control
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for Men
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises for Women
Prolapse (mainly targeted at Vaginal Prolapse)
If English is not your first language, then please click here choose your language, and then the corresponding fact sheet.
The Continence Foundation of Australia also has a number of useful and informative fact sheets:
What is a prolapse?
Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits for Women
Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits – Menopause and Beyond
Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits – Childbearing.pdf
Healthy Bladder and Bowel Habits for Men
Find a specialist Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
To find a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist in your area then please click here or here.
Alternatively, you can use the search engine provided by the Australian Continence Exchange here
Other Resources
Another useful resource can be found at The Victorian Continence Resource Centre. It is located at:
Victorian Continence Resource Centre
RDNS Building
Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre
Yarra Boulevard
Kew Vic 3101
Phone: (03) 9816 8266
Fax: (03) 9853 9727