When faced with bladder issues, especially incontinence, many women are offered surgery as the first (and sometimes only) option. It’s easy to see why – it’s marketed as a fast, often “guaranteed” fix. But is it always the best path forward?

The Hidden Power of Pelvic Floor Exercises

Even if your doctor suggests surgery, doing pelvic floor exercise beforehand is never a bad idea. Why?

Because they:

  • Improve blood flow
  • Strengthen the pelvic muscles
  • Help your body prepare if surgery is ultimately necessary

And here’s the real kicker: up to 75% of women referred to me for pelvic floor therapy were able to avoid surgery altogether, according to just one physician who frequently referred patients to my practice. That’s a powerful stat.

The Real Cost of Surgery

While surgery might seem like a quick fix, it comes with some serious baggage:

  • Pain and downtime
  • Scarring
  • Risk of infection or excessive bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Urinary retention
  • Financial costs (even with insurance)

Some women even report worsened bladder leakage immediately following surgery – a frustrating outcome when the goal was to resolve the issue.

Why Pelvic Floor Exercises are Ideal

There are virtually no downsides to doing pelvic floor exercises.

Yes, you need to put in some effort – 10 to 15 minutes a day with our program – but that’s a small trade-off for:

  • Improved bladder control
  • No invasive procedures
  • No recovery time
  • No medical bills

Just be sure to learn the proper technique and don’t overdo it. (I walk you through it in our program and provide one-on-one support with a virtual session with your membership.) These exercises are gentle but precise. Doing more doesn’t mean better results.

The Bottom Line

Before jumping into surgery, give pelvic floor exercises a serious try. For many women, this simple daily routine – done privately at home – can mean the difference between invasive surgery and natural recovery.

You’ve got nothing to lose…and so much strength to gain.

Learn more about our comprehensive at-home program to help you achieve confident bladder control.