I've been a pelvic floor physical therapist for over 14 years now. Let’s be honest–like most people–my first job right out of PT school sucked. My boss, also a PT, expected us to ‘sell’ to our patients to come in three times a week for the first two weeks, then twice a week after that to "get better quicker." I lasted just 12 months there.

But back to the question: What is the ideal frequency for pelvic floor PT? How often do you actually need to come? 

Well, it depends! I can tell you that three times a week isn't necessary. The frequency depends on various factors: the complexity of your condition, the strength you need to build, and the mobility you need to gain, among others. And here's the catch about therapy—you have to put in the work! Your physical therapist will give you exercises, suggest behavior changes, and assign homework. If you follow through, you'll improve faster. If not, progress will be slower. Isn't it annoying how that works? Have questions about your homework? Click here.

After your initial visit, your therapist will create a treatment plan tailored to you. Generally speaking, we recommend weekly visits until you're about 60-70% better, then every other week after that. Once your symptoms are resolved and you're returning to high-level activities, it's usually down to once a month.

For my pregnant patients, you're a special case! Check out the prenatal blog post for more details.

But, here's the thing: this is just a guideline. If your schedule or finances don't allow for frequent visits, that's okay! We work with what you can manage. If you can only come every other week or once a month, that's fine! We'll prioritize the most critical aspects of your treatment. Will it take longer to get better? Maybe. But isn't some progress better than none?

Only leaking when running versus walking? Less intense pain during intercourse? All of these are signs of progress. Remember, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint!