Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) — Pelvic Health Support in Perth

Stress urinary incontinence is leakage with coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, running or jumping. It’s common postpartum, but it can also occur with sport, menopause, or changes in pelvic floor coordination. The good news: many people can improve symptoms with the right plan.

At Palms, we focus on building confidence, function and control with strategies that fit your lifestyle.

What is SUI?

SUI happens when the pressure inside the abdomen rises (e.g., cough/jump/lift) and the pelvic floor and surrounding supports don’t manage that pressure effectively—leading to leakage.

Signs and everyday impacts

• leakage during exercise, running, skipping, gym work

• leakage when laughing/coughing/sneezing

• avoiding sport or social situations “just in case”

• reducing fluid intake (often makes symptoms worse)

• planning life around toilet locations
  
  

Why it can happen

Contributors can include:

• pelvic floor weakness or reduced endurance

• poor timing/coordination of pelvic floor activation

• reduced support after pregnancy or surgery

• high-impact training load without pelvic capacity

• constipation/straining increasing pelvic pressure

• hormonal changes affecting tissue support
  
  

How pelvic health physiotherapy may help

Depending on assessment, support may include:

• pelvic floor assessment and tailored program (strength/endurance/coordination)

• “the knack” (timed pelvic floor activation with cough/lift)

• pressure management + breathing strategies

• progressive return-to-running/jumping plan

• gym modifications and load progression

• constipation/straining reduction strategies

• practical tools for sport confidence (planning, pads, pacing)
  
  

What to expect

You’ll leave with a clear plan—what to practise, how often, and how we’ll measure progress (less leakage, more activity, more confidence).

When to see your GP

If leakage started suddenly, you have pain/burning, blood in urine, recurrent UTIs, or difficulty emptying your bladder.

Please visit these other websites for further information:

Continence Foundation of Australia – Comprehensive resources on urinary incontinence and pelvic floor health.

• https://www.continence.org.au

Women's Health Queensland Wide – Information and support services for women’s health issues, including incontinence.

• https://www.womenshealthqld.com.au

Australian Physiotherapy Association – Resources on physiotherapy practices for managing urinary incontinence.

• https://australian.physio

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) – Guidelines for managing urinary incontinence in primary care.

• https://www.racgp.org.au

Healthdirect Australia – General health information, including articles on bladder control and incontinence.

• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au

Pelvic Floor First – An initiative providing information and resources on pelvic floor health and incontinence.

• https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au

Urogynaecological Society of Australia – Information about urogynaecology, including the management of SUI.

• https://www.urogynaecology.org.au

Menopause Society of Australia – Resources on menopause and its impact on bladder health.

• https://menopause.org.au

The Continence Improvement Program – Resources and information for managing incontinence.

• https://www.health.gov.au

Child and Family Health Services – Support for parents dealing with children’s urinary issues.

• https://www.cahsd.com.au

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.