Not Just Kegels: What Women Are Not Told About Pelvic Floor Strength – by Dr Anjali Mahto, London Dermatologist
There is a quiet gap in women’s healthcare and it sits at the very foundation of our bodies.
Pelvic floor strength, function, and long-term integrity are rarely addressed until they fail. Leaks, laxity, discomfort during intimacy, or subtle shifts in confidence are brushed off as “normal” or “part of ageing.” But these changes are not inevitable. They are predictable. Which means they can be managed, intelligently, preventatively, and without shame.
At Self London, we believe pelvic health deserves the same clinical rigour as any other area of wellness or aesthetic care. Not because it is trending, but because it has been ignored for too long. And for the women we treat, high-functioning mothers, athletes, perimenopausal women, or those planning for the future, this matters.
We are not guessing. We are listening, assessing, and treating with precision and expertise.
Pelvic Strength Is Not Just a Postnatal Issue
Too often, the pelvic floor is reduced to a single post-baby concern, and women are given vague instructions to “do your Kegels.” But pelvic health is more than that, and so is pelvic dysfunction. It can present as subtle instability, back pain, loss of sensation, or a growing awareness that something is not quite working the way it used to. These are not problems of weakness or laziness. They are structural and hormonal. They are biomechanical. They are part of a changing body.
The pelvic floor, like any other muscle group, responds to age, oestrogen decline, training load, fatigue, connective tissue change, childbirth, and even posture. But unlike other muscles, we are not taught how to engage it, assess it, or support it. That is where clinical intervention matters.
Why Kegels Are Not Enough
Kegels are often offered as a universal solution. But most women do not know if they are performing them correctly. And for many, Kegels are the wrong approach entirely. Some women carry excess pelvic tension. Others need neuromuscular retraining. Still others require deep strength not surface cues.
That is why every pelvic health programme at Self London begins with a consultation. Our women’s health doctor, Dr Charlotte, brings deep clinical expertise and procedural skill to every assessment. No guesswork. No generic advice. Just an informed, protocol-led strategy tailored to your anatomy, symptoms, and goals.
The Role of EmFemme and Emsella — Used Properly, Together
EmFemme 360 is a radiofrequency device that delivers focused thermal energy to internal pelvic tissues. It supports collagen production, improves tone and elasticity, increases blood flow, and may help reduce vaginal dryness and laxity. It is a medical-grade option for women struggling with intimacy concerns or mild incontinence, and a preventative treatment for those who want to protect tissue quality as hormones shift.
Emsella uses high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation to contract the pelvic floor thousands of times in a single session, far beyond what is possible voluntarily. It works externally, fully clothed, and is suitable for women who want to retrain or strengthen internal musculature without invasive procedures.
At Self London, we do not offer Emsella as a standalone or package deal. We use it only where clinically appropriate, most often as part of a carefully designed EmFemme protocol. Every patient is examined and advised by our doctor. There are no shortcuts. No retail offers. Just real medicine for real women.
For Mothers, Movers, and the High-Functioning Women Left Out of the Narrative
This is not just about recovery. It is about performance. Women who run, lift, cycle, ski, or dance should not accept that coughing, laughing, or impact sports must lead to leaking. They should not feel unsure about intimacy or disconnected from their bodies after birth or through menopause.
At Self London, many of our patients are high achievers, physically, professionally, and personally. They are not looking for sympathy. They are looking for solutions.
If you have had children and feel things are different, even slightly, we will understand. If you have not had children but are noticing changes in strength, stability, or sensation, we will assess. If you want to prevent these shifts altogether, we will guide you.
For the Women Who Want to Stay Ahead
Not every woman we treat has symptoms. Many come because they want to protect what they have now.
Pelvic floor decline begins earlier than most women realise. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause reduce collagen, weaken support tissues, and change the biomechanical relationship between core and pelvis. Even without childbirth, the loss of oestrogen affects how the pelvic floor functions and these changes are often missed.
At Self London, we support the women who are thinking long term. The proactive. The biohackers. The reformer Pilates regulars, runners, weightlifters, wellness professionals, and those planning pregnancy. Women who want to move through midlife without losing the strength, sensitivity, or function they have worked hard to maintain.
Preventative pelvic care is not indulgent. It is intelligent. And increasingly, it is essential.
Why Core Matters Too: Pure Impact and Functional Strength
The pelvic floor is part of a wider system, your core, glutes, and deep stabilisers. That is why we often recommend Pure Impact as a complementary treatment.
Pure Impact uses powerful electromagnetic stimulation to activate and strengthen deep muscle groups, particularly the glutes, hamstrings, and lower abdominals. It is not cosmetic electromagnetic stimulation. It is structural training, delivered without fatigue or injury risk. Patients often notice better posture, less back pain, and improved muscle tone.
At Self London, Pure Impact is delivered by our lead therapist, who is also a qualified personal trainer. Every session follows a protocol written by our medical team. Most patients complete four sessions in two weeks, with maintenance depending on goals.
It is one of the few treatments that supports both aesthetic outcomes and genuine health performance, particularly relevant for patients managing hormonal change or using weight loss medications.
Why Women Are Choosing Self London
What makes us different is not just our technology. It is our thinking.
We do not upsell. We do not guess. We do not ask women to explain symptoms they have already struggled to articulate elsewhere.
We assess. We diagnose. We plan. Then we treat with care, clarity, and precision.
You will be seen by a doctor who understands pelvic anatomy, hormone transition, procedural nuance, and what it means to inhabit a female body through life’s changes. You will never be rushed. You will never be embarrassed. And you will never be treated by someone who does not know what they are doing.
The Future of Pelvic Health Is Preventative
This is a space few clinics are taking seriously. Most aesthetic practices focus on what is visible. We are focused on what is foundational.
Pelvic health affects your ability to lift your children. To sneeze without fear. To stay confident during sex. To run, jump, climb, laugh, without hesitation. It affects how you feel about your body, not in the mirror, but from the inside out. At Self London, we believe that matters. And if you do too, you are in the right place.
