Ep 7: Pelvic Health with PT Carina Siracusa
What is that bowl like thing doing for your down under? How does the Pelvic Floor influence the way you orgasm? Why is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy such a niche field to go into and what does it take to become a Pelvic Floor PT? Find out this and much more in Episode 7 with Dr. Carina Siracusa (pictured below).
Platforms to listen on:
Spotify
Anchor
Why checking on your Pelvic Health is important:
"Just as people exercise and eat well to help prevent heart disease, obesity and diabetes, they can also work to improve their pelvic health throughout their lives. The goal is to maintain a strong pelvic floor to avoid chronic issues such as bladder and bowel control." As told by Stanford Healthcare Keeping your Pelvic Health in check is as simple as keeping the rest of your body in check!
Pelvic Health problems are common in both people with vaginas and penises...and roughly 1 in 4 people with vaginas experience or will experience problems with their Pelvic Floor in their life time! In fact, one of my best friend's Victoria has been going through her own Pelvic Health journey. What was thought to be multiple bad UTIs turned out to be Bacterial Vaginosis and from there her symptoms didn't go away so her gynecologist referred her to a urologists who diagnosed her with Interstitial Cystitis (a Pelvic Floor Dysfunction). As told by https://www.ichelp.org/ "IC is recurring pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, often associated with urinary frequency (needing to go often) and urgency (feeling a strong need to go)." Victoria now goes to see a physical therapist (Like Carina) once every two weeks and they are working on her water intake, Pelvic Floor exercises, and working up to doing yoga poses to relax and strengthen the Pelvic Floor.
Victoria's advice is to "see a doctor a soon as you can if your pee is abnormal...and if you do have this diagnosis then drink lots of water because it can help reduce discomfort! Let everyone know what's going on because sometimes it's hard to ask for help and it is hard to cover up the pain. You never know who can help you! And you will get through this!!"
Pelvic Floor Health Products:
How can YOU improve you or your partners Pelvic Health and overall happiness?? My friend Victoria, and The lovely people from The Happy Pelvis & Pelvic Health Guru suggest you check out these fun and helpful products below:
Ohnut is used to help relieve pain when penetration feels too deep.
Semaine is a suppliment that helps with period pain, reduces bloating, lowers stress, relaxes muscles, and increases energy.
A hot and cold perineal pack that helps people who just gave birth or who have conditions like Vulvodynia. Made by a mom and daughter business
Bolsters Bolsters help with sitting when it is too painful and can also help with yoga poses when doing Pelvic Floor exercises.
A Milli For Her A vaginal dilator that expands by itself.
FIND OUT MORE: Pelvic Health Guru has also graciously made a Vulvodynia and Pelvic Pain Resource Guide which is going to be released this month! "This guide will help womxn/vulva owners all over the world who battle with pelvic pain. The guide will include vulvodynia and chronic pelvic pain explained, pelvic pain advocacy roadmap, extensive list of helpful educational websites and resources, directory of social media Facebook pages and groups, Instagram, YouTube accounts, list of top pelvic pain and chronic illness related books, podcasts and films, as well as recommended products and discount codes for up to 60% off the recommended pelvic health products!" So check out their Instagram for latest updates on the guide!
How to properly do a Kegel:
Music in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMCutWGTHSU
Where can I find behind the scenes content?
To hear the Full Unedited Interview go to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/vaginajul . You can find all behind the scenes content on my PATREON account. This includes and is not limited to:
Show Notes
Videos and Recordings of Interviews
Podcast Art
and Sneak Peeks into Future Episodes & Ideas
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Can't wait to hear what y'all think!
Resources and articles used in this blog post:
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/stanford-health-care-now/2018/how-to-improve-your-pelvic-health.html