As cannabis products are being normalized throughout the country, we’re starting to see some evidence for a surprising benefit of these once-taboo products… They may be good for the pelvic floor! Let’s explore the benefits of CBD for pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic...
As if bleeding, cramping, cravings, fatigue, and a whole host of other hard-to-manage symptoms weren’t enough, rectal pain during periods may grace some of us with this extra-special period symptom. Butt cramps. You’re going about your day when suddenly it feels like...
Some people expect a hysterectomy will solve all their downstairs problems. And while it’s true a hysterectomy can be helpful for many concerns, it can also create new ones. Luckily, you can reduce your risk or severity of post-op problems with pelvic floor exercises...
If you’re thinking, “What the heck is vaginismus?” you’re definitely not alone. Many people with vaginas have never heard of it, and here’s why: Vaginismus symptoms can feel embarrassing to talk about. “I can’t insert a tampon.” “No matter how hard I try, I can’t...
When you’re a kid, learning the ins and outs of going to the bathroom isn’t always a smooth journey. From picky eating to clothing struggles and a rigid schedule at school, many factors can affect your child’s bathroom habits. Pediatric pelvic floor...
A hysterectomy can be life-changing, most often for the better. But for some people, a hysterectomy can do a number on one’s sex life. Fortunately, painful sex after a hysterectomy doesn’t have to be permanent. What’s a Hysterectomy? A hysterectomy is the surgical...
For many environmentally conscious folks—or simply financially conscious folks—menstrual cups have become a go-to period product. But some people are hesitant to use them because they’ve heard menstrual cups can cause or worsen pelvic organ prolapse. Is that true? Are...
Companies market all sorts of stuff to vagina owners: washes, wipes, pads, kegel aids, trainers, and more. With shelves and shelves full of products, it can be tough to know which of them might be actually useful. First, know this: If your pelvic floor is generally...
Let’s play “guess the diagnosis”: You’re feeling a little discomfort in your abdomen and pelvis. You’re frequenting the bathroom more often. You feel a burning sensation when you pee, accompanied by little to no urine. Or, you’re peeing a lot, so much that urine...
You’ve likely discovered that pregnancy isn’t all unicorns, rainbows, and “You’re positively glowing!” As if “morning” sickness, tender breasts, and round ligament pain weren’t enough, pregnancy can also be a real pain in the butt. Literally. Yes, my friends, today...
Have you ever heard of using postpartum belly binding during your immediate postpartum recovery? Over the course of your pregnancy, your body changes shape and makes room for your growing little one. Then, in postpartum, your muscles and organs literally shift around...
Round ligament pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy and can make normal activities a minefield of discomfort. Listed below are some round ligament pain stretches to relieve you. What Does Round Ligament Pain Feel Like? Round ligament pain most often feels like...
I was ten years old the day I got my first period. My mom handed me a maxi-pad and a book about menstrual cycles and said, “Let me know if you have questions.” And that was it. No discussion about period care, no tips, and I used the same menstrual...
Do you suspect you have an overactive pelvic floor? An overactive pelvic floor is when the muscles contract more than necessary. This results in excessive pelvic floor muscle tension and can lead to trigger points in your pelvic floor. It’s just like tight...
Postpartum sciatica is a painful condition that occurs after pregnancy. If you have sciatica pain, you know it’s no fun! Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed. This can happen due to carrying a newborn or lifting heavy objects. Sciatica is pain...
Do you have chronic vaginal burning? Do you have pain in the external vaginal area? Has it lasted three or more months? Do you feel like there’s no known cause? You may find relief in understanding vulvodynia. Generalized vulvodynia refers to chronic pain and...
Any medical provider of physical therapist that tells you “just do your kegels!” may not be providing the best advice for you. MANY women and men have overactive or tense pelvic floor muscles and kegels/ tightening exercises can make matters worse, especially during...
If you’ve had a previous cesarean, we probably don’t have to tell you that childbirth doesn’t always go as planned. But the good news is it’s also possible to rewrite these stories and have a vaginal birth after cesarean (aka VBAC). How to have a successful...
Whether or not your c-section was planned or unplanned, you may have some questions about c section recovery essentials. Questions like, Can I ice my c-section incision? (Yup) Or is it worth it to wear a tummy binder after c-section? (Could be!) Or even, is it too...
Great to Meet You I’m Sara, commonly referred to as The Vagina Whisperer. I am a pelvic rehabilitation Physical Therapist and this is the delivery and birth story of my first child, Dylan. As my profession may suggest, I had a full plan in place for my first birth. I...
Recovering after your c-section and wondering when and how you can begin pelvic floor and core workouts? We understand your eagerness to regain core strength, but returning to exercise should be a slow, gradual process. This guide focuses on pelvic floor exercises...
Postpartum maternal care leaves something to be desired here in the US, especially when it comes to Cesarean section recovery. Particularly the education on how pelvic floor physical therapy after c-section can be a beneficial part of recovery. I often hear women...
Endometriosis affects about 1 in every 10 women of reproductive age worldwide.1 If you’ve been diagnosed with or suspect you may have endometriosis, you might be wondering, “What’s next?” While there’s no cure for endometriosis, many treatment...
Do you have painful menstrual cycles? Do you have to miss school or work due to your period discomfort? Endometriosis can be a scary and sometimes debilitating diagnosis that affects roughly 10% of menstruating women. Many women with endometriosis experience prolonged...
Do you have pubic bone pain after birth? We talk about pubic symphysis pain during pregnancy. And many times pubic bone pain postpartum resolves after birth. But, what if the pubic pain doesn’t go away? What if your doctor tells you have pubic symphysis separation...
Mardi Gras is around the block, and we have been anticipating carnival season! During parade season we are constantly out and about, and consuming more food and alcohol than we can anticipate. This is such a fun time, but with this change in lifestyle and diet, we may...
When you can start having sex again after pregnancy and childbirth? Most women wait until after their 6-week physician check up to get the okay to return to intercourse. Some women may want to start having sex sooner than that. I do encourage you to let your body heal...
Postpartum may not be what you expect. You may find yourself with a heating pad under your back and an ice pack over your vagina due to the postpartum pelvic pain. One of the hardest parts of the fourth trimester is that you may not even know there is one. As...
After childbirth, there are many new stressors, like infant feeding… and wearing your OWN diapers. One stressor that can be surprising is the first postpartum poop! The idea of anything passing through a newly healing pelvic floor can be scary and unwelcome. That 1st...
We frequently get questions about when it’s safe to return to Crossfit after having a baby. That is often a hard question to answer, or rather there are many factors that go into that answer. Let us help shed some light on when and how to return to Crossfit...
Historically, there haven’t been many guidelines to help new moms learn how to safely return to running postpartum. In March of 2019, three physiotherapists in the UK published the first such guidelines. This is excellent news! These guidelines connect pelvic health...
If you’re wondering about running while pregnant, you aren’t alone! Questions about exercise — particularly running — are very common. Exercise is a fantastic way to keep you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy — and it is expert recommended! The American...
Postpartum is forever. However, the things you do in the first 8 weeks can lay the foundation for how you’ll feel in the months and years that follow. The challenge? The physical and emotional demands of your new motherhood. To make things easier (and to not just add...
Second in our series in what to expect from your postpartum body series we cover 2-4 weeks postpartum. Below you will find information on what to expect in terms of healing, when to contact your healthcare provider or seek treatment from a pelvic floor PT, and how to...
It is no surprise that your body will undergo many changes during pregnancy. You are growing a tiny human, and that is hard work! You may begin to experience things that you have never felt before. You may also notice an increase in symptoms that you previously had. A...
For most, thinking about how to pee as a woman (or anyone!) isn’t something you worry about. It’s like breathing. You just do it and when you gotta go, you go. But there is, in fact, a correct way to urinate which can help to: Avoid pelvic floor problems Develop...
There are many books on what to expect during pregnancy, but women often are left without much guidance about what to expect after the baby arrives. What should they expect from their bodies in the postpartum phase of motherhood? Our physical therapy team hopes to...
Wondering what to expect in your 6 week postpartum visit? Navigating the early postpartum days after your baby is born can be overwhelming. Between sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and physical changes to your body, even brushing your teeth can feel like a win!...
If you are currently pregnant or postpartum, you’ve likely heard some mention of diastasis recti (DRA) – but are you familiar with how to know if you have diastasis recti? Diastasis recti is when the connective tissue in the middle of your abdominal muscles...
Varicose veins are swollen veins that can occur anywhere in the body. They are often the result of increased pressure to an area. Increased pressure on the pelvic floor during pregnancy is common, and can lead to vulvar varicosities, or varicose veins on your vulva....
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