Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) involves a few stages and surgeries and can take up to three years of rehabilitation. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can be very beneficial before and following all top and bottom surgeries. It can help patients maximise their recovery and reach full function. Many surgeons performing GAS recommend pelvic therapy as part of standard pre- and post-surgical care.

Current research has shown that Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is beneficial for those undergoing vaginoplasty both before and after the procedure (Jiang et al., 2019).

At PelviCare Physical Therapy we are committed to providing the highest standard of pelvic health physical therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Bottom surgeries involve numerous incisions that can lead to scars and restricted mobility in the surrounding tissues. The pelvic floor musculature, urethra, and pelvic neural and fascial structures are often involved during surgery, which can result in urinary, bowel, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain. A few examples of symptoms that patients can experience are difficulty initiating stream, incomplete bladder emptying, urgency/frequency, spraying, and pain with urination, or pain with intercourse.

We educate and guide our patients on proper use of dilators for transgender women after vaginoplasty.

Phalloplasty involves additional challenges due to the requirement of a donor site (forearm or thigh). The donor site can develop scar tissue if left untreated, which could lead to pain, restrictions, and/or postural changes.

At PelviCare Physical Therapy we spend extensive time on education and what to expect before and after a gender - affirming surgery. We use manual soft tissue and myofascial release techniques that can assist in improving scar mobility to minimise discomfort and optimise range of motion. We also focus on general exercise, including rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles.