The Vagina Whisperer Blog
How to Create a Natural Birth Plan
No matter how you decide to bring your little one(s) into the world, having birth preferences in place can help you feel more prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally for the experience. Through creating your plan, you’ll learn about your labor and delivery...
Exercises to Prepare for Natural Childbirth
Folks opting for an unmedicated or natural birth might use breathing techniques, hot and/or cold compresses, massage, counterpressure, aromatherapy, water therapy, meditation, labor tools like birthing balls, and other methods to manage the pain of labor and...
Menopause and Painful Sex
Hot flashes. Sleep issues. Mood swings. These are the three horsemen of the meno-pocalypse. And then there’s the fourth horseman—the menopause symptom no one talks much about, despite how common it is. Painful sex. Let’s talk about why you may have painful sex during...
PCOS, Pelvic Pain, and Physical Therapy
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a challenge that’s misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and all too often just plain missed. So let’s set the record straight on what PCOS and pelvic pain is, why it’s so dang painful, and how to ease your symptoms. What is PCOS? People...
Bladder Health Tips for Teachers
7 Tips for Peeing at School It’s back-to-school time, and if you’re an educator, you’re likely experiencing some mixed feelings. One on hand, yay school! We know you’re passionate about (and good at) what you do. But the thought of returning to your busy classrooms...
Urinary Incontinence in Female Athletes
When we think of urinary incontinence, we often picture newer moms or older ladies. Young, fit women often don’t come to mind when we look at a pack of pads. But urinary incontinence is common in athletes—especially those with vaginas. Research shows that up to half...
Pelvic Floor Trainers
If you’ve ever so much as whispered a question about your pelvic floor, I can guess two things about you: You’re in the right place. (It’s so nice to have you here!) You’re suddenly getting tons of ads for pelvic floor trainers. (Thanks a bunch, targeted advertising…)...
Non-Surgical Help for Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) is one of the more common—and most misunderstood—conditions people experience as a result of pregnancy and childbirth. It can also be one of the more discouraging “consequences” of becoming a parent. Not only does diastasis recti...
Fibroids and Painful Sex
If you have female reproductive organs, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced “What the heck is happening?!” symptoms here and there. The symptoms of uterine fibroids definitely fall into that category. So let’s talk about fibroids: What they are, how to know if...
How to Prevent Tearing During Birth
Childbirth can feel intimidating. And we often come into labor and delivery with a lot of questions… How painful will this *actually* be? Am I going to poop? How to prevent tearing during birth? Perineal tearing during childbirth is a common fear—and something we’ve...
Avoiding Perimenopause Bladder Problems
In middle age, most vagina-owners start to notice some changes… It’s tough to get a read on our menstrual cycle. We’re constantly hot and sweaty. (Otherwise known as “personal summers.”) We have trouble falling or staying asleep. Our downstairs feels like a desert....
Pelvic Floor Therapy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes our bodies in extraordinary ways. But pain and discomfort during pregnancy aren’t inevitable! Pelvic floor physical therapy during pregnancy is one way we can proactively take care of our body. And the earlier we can start, the better. The Benefits...
Stress and Pelvic Floor Tension
Occasional stress is part of being human. These days, though, many people’s stress has escalated from once-in-a-while to chronic. You may be aware that chronic stress can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular health, digestive health, and mental health. There is also a...
CBD for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
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...
Pregnancy with Existing Prolapse: Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can feel like a daunting diagnosis. And combining pregnancy with existing prolapse may deepen your concerns… Is prolapse during pregnancy safe—for both you and your baby? Will your POP get worse? Will your pelvic floor ever recover? It may...
When Your Period is a Pain in the Butt: Rectal Pain During Periods
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...
How to Manage Endometriosis Pain During Sex
Chronic pain can be hard to talk about. Especially when it’s down there. Especially when it comes to sex. We may even try to convince ourselves that it’s all in our head. Or unfortunately we’ve been told that by unsupportive medical professionals But if you’re...
5 Pelvic Floor Exercises for After a Hysterectomy
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...
6 Pelvic Floor Exercises for Vaginismus
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...
Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy
Being a kid is tough, being a kid with pelvic floor dysfunction is even tougher. More common than you may realize, pelvic floor dysfunction affects approximately 1 in 7 school aged children. The good news is that pediatric pelvic floor therapy can help! Firsthand...
Painful Sex After a Hysterectomy?
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...
Can Menstrual Cups Cause Prolapse?
Can Menstrual Cups Cause Pelvic Organ Prolapse? 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...
Best Products for Your Pelvic Floor
The Best Products for Your Pelvic Floor and Core According to a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist 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...
UTI Symptoms with a Negative Urine Culture: The Relationship Between UTI Symptoms and Pelvic Floor Health
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...
How to Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
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...
All About Postpartum Belly Binding
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 Stretches to Use Right Now
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...
Period Tips From a Pelvic Floor Therapist
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. There were no conversations about options for menstrual care, no period tips, and my...
Your Guide to Working Out With an Overactive Pelvic Floor
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 shoulders...
Postpartum Sciatica
Pain in the butt? It might be sciatica.
Pelvic floor problems
are correctable
and preventable.
Peeing just fine, pooping like a pro, and enjoying plenty of pleasurable sex? Let's keep it that way!
By strengthening your pelvic floor now, you can prevent issues from creeping up later.
