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A Conversation about Female Sexual Health & Pelvic Pain

with Screening of Animated Short Film "Tightly Wound"

Femina PT, the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, and the Milli, the first Expandable Dilator, are teaming up to bring Shelby Hadden and her animated short film about vaginismus, Tightly Wound, to Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19th! Many of you may know of Shelby and her past struggles with pelvic pain. Her journey getting diagnosed and treated combined with her skills as a filmmaker inspired her to create Tightly Wound to help raise awareness about vaginismus and pelvic pain, helping women get diagnosed and get the help they need.

As pelvic pain physical therapists, we understand all too well the challenges women face getting diagnosed and successfully treated for such personal issues. Every day we witness the emotional and physical drain pelvic pain syndromes have on our patients, threatening everything from one’s sexuality, daily comfort, relationships, and professional and personal lives.

Pelvic floor physical therapists are well-positioned to help women navigate the complicated medical system to get the help they need. A key to recovery is knowing you can and will get better. That’s why we teamed up with Shelby and three other patients to share their success stories, struggles, and how they ultimately recovered from pelvic pain.

May is Pelvic Pain Awareness Month, we want to do our part to help, so here are our plans and goals. We hope you join us!

Our Goals:

  1. Raise awareness about female pelvic pain
  2. Host a seminar for patients:
    1. To meet women who have recovered from pelvic pain & regained the ability to have pleasurable sex
    2. Learn tips about sexuality and intimacy while recovering from pelvic pain
    3. Tightly Wound Los Angeles screening with filmmaker Shelby Hadden (screening and Q and A!)
  3. Raise money for Tightly Wound’s distribution (Filmmaker’s Collaborative, 501c3)


Ladies recovering from pelvic pain, you are invited to our seminar!

Patient Seminar:

Becoming UnWOUND: A Conversation about Female Sexual Health & Pelvic Pain with Screening of Animated Short Film“Tightly Wound”

On Saturday morning, May 19th from 10:00am to 1:00pm the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles is hosting an event for women recovering from pelvic pain. This event is intended for patients, their partners, and anyone who is interested in this conversation.

To be frank, pelvic pain is a beast. Women in the throes of it often wonder if they will ever recover and have enjoyable sex. We are using this morning to say the answer is YES and remind those struggling that they are not alone!

The Panel

Three amazing women who successfully recovered from pelvic pain are teaming up with their pelvic floor physical therapists Stephanie Prendergast, Heather Jeffcoat, and Jandra Mueller, to share their stories. The treatment process for pelvic pain is challenging, in this physical therapist/patient panel we will discuss how we troubleshooted problems and eliminated pelvic pain.

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Stephanie Prendergast, Heather Jeffcoat, and Jandra Mueller

Experience has taught us that even when the pelvic pain is gone the transition from ‘patient’ to ‘person’ isn’t easy and comes with it’s own challenges. Women often tell us that is hard to bring their sexy back. This is more common than not! We get it, you are not alone, and we want to provide resources to help.

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Erica Marchand, PhD

Erica Marchand, PhD, psychologist and sex therapist is joining us to share tips and strategies on sexual pleasure and intimacy while recovering from pelvic pain. Erica practices in Los Angeles and is also the creator an online program for women to have more, better, and easier orgasms, even with pelvic pain.

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Shelby Hadden

And finally, we are proud to offer a special screening of Tightly Wound and a Question and Answer period with director Shelby Hadden!! Shelby was brave enough to create this film based on her own experience and we are honored to be sharing it.

FINAL AM GRAPHIC

We are requesting a non-refundable tax-deductible donation of $25.00 (or more if you can!) to help Shelby meet her financial goals for the film. 100% of the proceeds go support Tightly Wound’s distribution. Space is limited, register NOW! Please RSVP to donate and reserve your spot here.

Financial contributions were also made by the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, Femina Physical Therapy, and Milli, the first expandable dilator. Stay tuned to our blog and social media for more information about Milli!

Light refreshments will be offered and, of course, there will be breaks and time to mingle.

Please share, retweet, and post this blog to help us spread the word about pelvic pain and improve the diagnosis and treatment landscape for patients!

What Our Patients Have to Say

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Testimonial by A.B.

Before I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat I was living in a nightmare. I had been married to my husband for three years and I was suffering from Vaginismus. That all changed when I visited my OBGYN and she said she knew of someone with a great success rate. To be honest I was hesitant at first because my first doctor had already told me that all I needed to do was order dilators from the internet and I should overcome my problem. She was wrong because I had followed the book on how to use the dilators with absolutely no advancements in my condition. However, that all changed when I went in for my first visit and Heather took the time to explain my condition and how we were going to work together to overcome it.

I remember leaving her office with a glimmer of hope that I could live a normal life. As my sessions continued I began to see immediate results. With only four sessions and a strict dedication to my home programs I was cured of Vaginismus. In the beginning of this process I was made aware that my health insurance company might not cover the costs, which was disappointing but today I can say one hundred percent that it was the best money I ever spent. Now thanks to Heather I am finally enjoying my life to the fullest with my husband. Thank you Heather, I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate all that you have done for me. I will never forget it. Those who are suffering from these types of conditions don’t be afraid because she makes you feel so comfortable and the end result is worth it. Good luck to you all and I hope you experience the success I have.
-- A.B.

Testimonial by T.H.

I started seeing Heather in October 2014. For more than two years, I had been suffering from painful urinary tract infection type symptoms after my bartholins gland surgery which included constant burning and urinary frequency sensation that led to more and more painful intercourse. I had made multiple visits to internist, obgyn and urologist's offices, went through a range of treatment with UTI and bladder frequency medication that included antibiotics, vesicare, estrogen cream, but nothing worked.

Read more: Testimonial by T.H.

Testimonial by S.P., Age 26

I would like to start off by thanking Heather Jeffcoat for educating me and curing me of Vaginismus. I had been married for almost three years before I was referred to Heather. I never knew about Vaginismus until almost three years into my marriage. I knew something was wrong when I went on my honeymoon and came back a Virgin. I had always imagined how magical my first night would be but boy was I wrong.

Read more: Testimonial by S.P., Age 26

Testimonial by M.N., age 28

A personal journey and testimonial from one of my patients:

I was diagnosed with vaginismus 4 years ago. I never heard of such medical condition until after I got married. At first my husband and I didn't know what to do, we didn't know what the issues were or how to overcome it. Being born and raised in Armenia and being Christian I wasn't that open about talking to sex with others and so it wasn't easy to seek help. But eventually I went to an Ob-Gyn and luckily she knew about the medical condition (not many doctors know). She referred me to a physical therapist and I couldn't believe it and thought it's something I can handle myself. I ordered a kit from vaginismus.com and started practicing with dilators. There was some small progress but wasn't much helpful.

Read more: Testimonial by M.N., age 28

Testimonial by T.H.

I started seeing Heather in October 2014. For more than two years, I had been suffering from painful urinary tract infection type symptoms after my bartholins gland surgery which included constant burning and urinary frequency sensation that led to more and more painful intercourse. I had made multiple visits to internist, obgyn and urologist's offices, went through a range of treatment with UTI and bladder frequency medication that included antibiotics, vesicare, estrogen cream, but nothing worked.

Read more: Testimonial by T.H.

Testimonial by R.H.

No one could tell me why I was having pain during sex--sharp pain, not just uncomfortable, pain. I was referred to Heather Jeffcoat after researching several different options. I had seen a specialist who told me physical therapy would not help and my only option was surgery. I really didn't want to go that route, so when we got a referral, I decided to try it--it can't hurt, I thought. I am so glad I did. She diagnosed the problem right away, which was a relief in itself.

To know why I was having pain eased my mind immensely. And to hear that she could fix it without surgery was another relief. She said she could fix the problem in 6 weeks. I think it was actually 4 for me. She was very methodical, and treated me as an intelligent human being capable of participating in my own recovery. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. She did not try to prolong my session numbers, she worked hard to accommodate my schedule (and the fact that I had to bring a baby to sessions), and she was completely honest the entire time. It is so hard to find someone with these characteristics, much less a professional who is so good at what she does. She has my highest respect.

-- R.H.

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