Why Fibre Might Be Part of Your Pelvic Pain Treatment Plan

Pelvic pain can be frustrating, complex, and deeply disruptive. Whether it’s a dull ache, sharp twinge, or ongoing pressure in your lower abdomen, pelvic pain rarely has a single cause - which is why treatment needs to look at the full picture.

That’s where pelvic health physiotherapy comes in. 

Pelvic physios take a whole-body, evidence-informed approach. Instead of just treating symptoms, we work to uncover what’s really going on. That might include muscle tension, nerve irritation, posture, movement patterns - and yes, even things like stress, sleep, bladder habits, and your diet.

So don’t be surprised if, during a session, your physio says:
“Let’s talk about fibre.”

What do pelvic health physios actually do?

If you’ve never seen a pelvic health physio, you might not know what to expect. Unlike general physios, pelvic health physios are specially trained to assess and treat conditions involving the pelvic floor.

These can include:

• Pelvic pain
• Bladder urgency or leakage
• Constipation
• Pain with sex (dyspareunia)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Postnatal recovery

A typical assessment goes beyond just your pelvic floor muscles. We look at your posture, breathing, movement, toileting habits, lifestyle, and more. The aim? To get a full understanding of what’s contributing to your pain - and build a treatment plan that addresses it step-by-step.

Pelvic pain needs a layered approach

There are lots of possible causes for pelvic pain: overactive pelvic floor muscles, nerve sensitivity, hormonal imbalances, scar tissue, or poor bowel function (just to name a few).

That’s why treatment often involves a mix of:

• Manual hands-on therapy to release tight muscles (internally and externally)
• Breathing and movement retraining to reduce pressure on the pelvic floor
• Education around posture, toileting habits, and calming your nervous system
• Lifestyle strategies to reduce inflammation and support healing
  

And this is where fibre comes in.

Why fibre matters when treating pelvic pain

It might feel unexpected to be talking about food during a physio session, but pelvic physios know: when your gut isn’t happy, your pelvis often isn’t either.

Here’s why fibre can play a big role in supporting pelvic health:

1. It helps reduce straining on the toilet
   Straining to poo increases pressure on your pelvic floor, which can worsen pain and dysfunction - not ideal if those muscles are already tight, sore, or sensitive. Fibre softens and bulks up your stool, making it easier to pass without bearing down.
   
   
2. It helps manage constipation
   Chronic constipation is one of the most common contributors to pelvic pain. A diet rich in fibre is a key tool in keeping things regular — and when the bowels move well, your pelvic floor is under far less stress.
   
   
3. It reduces bloating and pressure
   Bloating can cause abdominal distension and create increased pressure on your pelvic organs. Slowly increasing your fibre intake (alongside plenty of fluids) can help regulate digestion and ease that heavy, bloated feeling of discomfort.
   
   
4. It supports gut health and reduces inflammation
   Fibre feeds the good bacteria in your gut, which help reduce systemic inflammation — a key factor in conditions like endometriosis and IBS, which often overlap with pelvic pain.
   
   
5. It helps balance hormones
   Certain types of fibre help your body clear out excess hormones via the bowel. This can be useful for people with hormonally-driven pelvic pain conditions.

How to increase fibre without the bloat

If your physio recommends adding fibre, it’s important to go slow - especially if you have a sensitive gut.

Try these gentle steps:

• Start by adding more vegetables, fruit, oats, legumes, and nuts
• Increase gradually over 1–2 weeks
• Drink plenty of water
• Consider a gentle fibre supplement like No.2 Good Gut Fibre, made with psyllium husk
  

If you’re unsure what’s right for you, talk with your physio or GP. 

The bottom line about pelvic health and fibre

Pelvic physios don’t just treat muscles - we support the whole person. That includes looking at how your bowel habits, daily movement, and nutrition are impacting your symptoms.

So if your physio brings up fibre, it’s not random. It’s because everything’s connected - and even small changes in your diet can make a big difference to how you feel.

If you're living with pelvic pain, know this: you don’t have to put up with it. Our pelvic physio can help you get to the bottom of what’s going on and create a plan that supports you and is tailored to your needs - muscles, movement, and fibre included.