IMAGE The Check-in

Understanding Prolapse and Incontinence; and Why We Need to Talk About Them

IMAGE The Check-in

Show Notes

In this episode, Ellie Balfe is joined by Dr Fiona Keogh, consultant gynaecologist with Blackrock Health, to explore what is really going on when it comes to pelvic health, and why so many women are left unsure of what is normal and what is not.

Together, they talk through the symptoms women often normalise, from bladder leaks to a feeling of heaviness or pressure, and why these are not simply things to accept as part of ageing or after having children. Fiona explains what pelvic organ prolapse actually is, how it presents, and the different types of incontinence women may experience, as well as what these symptoms might be trying to tell us.

They also explore how pelvic health changes across different life stages, particularly during pregnancy, postpartum recovery and menopause, and why these can be key moments where symptoms appear or worsen.

Importantly, this conversation moves beyond awareness into reassurance, looking at what can be done to support and improve pelvic health, from pelvic floor physiotherapy to lifestyle changes and, where needed, surgical options.

Above all, this episode is about giving women clarity, confidence and permission to seek help. These symptoms may be common, but they are not something you simply have to live with.

IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic and proudly empowered by Boots and sponsored by Samsung and Waterstone Clinic.

More from IMAGE The Check-in

Oct 22, 2026

In 1961, Finola Cassidy's mother was prescribed a new "wonder drug" for morning sickness. It contained thalidomide, which caused miscarriages and severe birth defects in babies around the world. Weeks after Finola was born, it was withdrawn worldwide. In Ireland, no public warning was issued and the drug remained on shelves for years. Sixty-five years on, in a moving conversation, Finola talks to Leonie Corcoran about growing up with a disability in 1960s Ireland, the 27 hospital stays of her childhood, the silent burden carried by the mothers who took thalidomide and the lesson in resilience her father gave her. As spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, she also shares why Ireland's survivors are still waiting for a State apology and what she told a young mother she met by chance on a boat. **This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss.

Jun 25, 2026

Longevity is much more than a trend - it is about optimising your health at every stage of life.

Jun 18, 2026

In this episode of IMAGE The Check-in, recorded live at the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic event at The Conrad Hotel, we unpack the ultimate blueprint to female longevity and optimum health. Host Melanie Morris sits down with three of Ireland’s leading health professionals – consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan, preventive cardiologist Dr. Paddy Barrett, and performance coach John Belton—to discuss how lifestyle, medicine, and technology intersect to help you thrive into old age. Key Takeaways: Lifespan vs. Healthspan: The difference between living long and living well.

Jun 11, 2026

In the second half of our deep-dive conversation with medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, we shift our focus inward. Dr Keane returns to show us how to master our mindset by making small, powerful adjustments to our daily routines and internal habits. If you are ready to quieten a loud inner critic, overcome the secret fear of being exposed, and build a morning routine that actually sets you up for a fulfilling day, this is exactly what you need to hear. Key Topics Covered Tackling Anxiety: Practical, science-backed tools to calm your nervous system.

Jun 4, 2026

In the first part of this special two-episode series, we check in with neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Evolve Neuro.

See all episodes →