In this episode, I explore the bidirectional relationship between the pelvic floor and our psychological state. How stress, anxiety, grief, identity shifts, and prolonged effort can shape pelvic floor tone, and how pelvic floor tension can feed back into how safe and settled we feel in our bodies.
This is not an episode about blaming stress, over-psychologising symptoms, or replacing pelvic floor physiotherapy. It’s an invitation to widen the lens.
We’ll talk about:
Why pelvic floor exercises don’t always “work”
How anxiety and low mood can influence muscle tone and recovery (without pathologising)
What research tells us about pelvic floor outcomes when psychological load is high
My own postpartum experience of pelvic floor tension, sexual discomfort, constipation, and grief, and what I didn’t realise at the time
A guided exercise for releasing tension and tightness in the PF.
If this episode resonates, let it be a prompt to think beyond physiology alone, to seek support, and to work with pelvic floor specialists who understand the whole picture, body, nervous system, and life context.
If you’re looking for a practical, anatomy-driven breakdown of the pelvic floor — without much psychology — this is an excellent companion episode to listen to alongside this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmlwtsJXrc0
A key paper discussed in this episode, exploring the relationship between pelvic floor dysfunction and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and how psychological state may shape response to pelvic floor physiotherapy:
https://doi.org/10.3109/01443615.2013.813913
Helen KeebleHelen’s work is thoughtful, evidence-based, and deeply respectful of the nervous system and lived experience.
https://helenkeeble.com/
Sydney Pelvic ClinicIf you’re based in Sydney, this team is exceptional. They are highly skilled, compassionate, and genuinely holistic in their approach.
https://www.sydneypelvicclinic.com.au/