The Vagina Whisperer Blog
Is a C-Section Better for Pelvic Floor Health?
The labor and delivery experience is unique to everyone. Depending on whom you ask, giving birth might feel beautiful, empowering, intense, scary… or all the above. And it isn’t just the few hours (or days) of labor that bring up all that emotion. It’s the after part,...
What is a C Section Shelf?
Your body may have changed a lot during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Especially in a world that glorifies “bouncing back” after birth, you might be feeling the pressure to go back to your pre-baby body. That means a “mom pooch” caused by diastasis recti or...
Adenomyosis and Back Pain
Chronic pain is a pain. Especially in your back. Can’t sit for too long. Can’t stand for too long. Bending, shifting, lifting; it all hurts. Adenomyosis, a reproductive health condition, can cause some chronic lower back pain. What is Adenomyosis? Adenomyosis is when...
Does Alcohol Make You Pee More?
Some beverages have quite a lot of vitamin P(ee). Alcohol certainly seems to be one of them. Is it all the water you’re drinking to prevent the next morning’s hangover? Or does alcohol actually make you pee more? If you’ve ever experienced “breaking the seal” during a...
Peeing During Sex: Fact & Fiction
You’re reaching The Big O when suddenly… … it feels like you’ve wet the bed. But did you? Did you actually just… pee? During sex?! If you did, no shame. In fact, this experience is common enough there’s actually a word for it! Let’s explore peeing during sex, what...
Caffeine and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
If you’re a coffee drinker, you may have a love-hate relationship with the stuff. On the one hand, it can offer a delicious, caffeine-induced productivity boost. On the other hand, it can cause frequent trips to the bathroom. Let's discuss how caffeine and pelvic...
Pelvic Floor Exercises for Constipation
Constipation is a real pain in the...well…you know. And while plenty of people assume that constipation is caused exclusively by food, there’s a lot more happening down there than you might expect. In fact, you can often blame the pelvic floor for all that struggling...
Top 5 Recommended Exercises for Improving Fertility
Originally published on The Ribbon Box Exercises for Fertility – Choose what works for you Moderate exercise has been known to provide numerous health benefits, including improvement to fertility through reducing cortisol levels and improving ovulation and circulation...
Fertility Exercise and Pelvic Health
Infertility is a tough topic, and if you’re struggling to conceive, please try to remember this is not your fault. Fault implies wrongdoing, and you’ve done nothing wrong. Though most fertility talk is centered around the person with the uterus, infertility is...
Pelvic Floor PT For “Mommy Makeover” Recovery
So much happens to our bodies during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. And in the aftermath of bringing an entire human or humans into the world, you might be wondering if a “mommy makeover” is right for you. First, please hear this: There’s so much pressure to...
How to Create a Natural Birth Plan
Having a plan in place for bringing your child into the world can make you feel more confident, regardless of your chosen method. By learning how to create a natural birth plan, you will: Determine labor and delivery options Clarify your goals Document your care...
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 and Pelvic Pain
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a challenge that’s misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and often just plain missed. So let’s set the record straight on what PCOS and pelvic pain is, why it’s so painful, and how to ease your symptoms. What is PCOS? People who have PCOS...
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 in your pelvic floor 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...
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. Additionally, 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...
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.