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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 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.

Testimonial by S.B.

As someone who suffered the debilitating physical and emotional effects of vaginismus (as well as a complicated history of back injuries) for more than 15 years, I thought a "normal" life was just a fantasy. Then I found Heather.

Read more: Testimonial by S.B.

Testimonial by Fritzette H.

I went to Heather after the birth of my third child. It was lucky, really, that I was referred to her, because my doctor had referred me to a surgeon for a possible hysterectomy or pelvic wall rebuild. Thankfully, I went to Heather before undergoing either surgery, she was able to fix the problem. She has studied extensively in women's health--even written a book about it--and was able to diagnose my problem, suggest a course of treatment (6 weeks), and then follow through with said treatment. By the end, as she said, I was as good as gold. Boy, was it worth it! Though uncomfortable to talk about, much less write about, it is worth getting the word out there. If you have painful intercourse, especially after birth or other trauma, the treatment may be as simple as Physical Therapy (with Heather, of course). I highly recommend her.

-- Fritzette H., 3/24/16 via Yelp!

Testimonial by T.C.

While pregnant with my twins, Heather took care with keeping me on my feet and pain free. She saved my back, my sanity and the holidays! I would recommend her to every “mom” looking to stay on her feet during pregnancy and post-partum.

-- T.C.

Testimonial by J.H.

My last appointment with Heather was over 6 years ago but I still think of her every day. I don’t take for granted that I can easily get out of bed, care for my two active and busy young boys, run, play tennis, clean my house, or sit at a desk for several hours at a time. None of these tasks were easy for me before meeting Heather. Eight years ago my car was struck from behind by a tractor trailer that was estimated to have been speeding. I spent 3 years working with different PTs and Drs trying to heal and move on with my life. When I became pregnant and the hormone relaxin that “relaxes” all the joints of the body and the additional weight gain erased all my progress and I was suddenly in a lot of pain again. My OB sent me to Heather for one last try.

Read more: Testimonial by J.H.

Testimonial by J.H.

My last appointment with Heather was over 6 years ago but I still think of her every day. I don’t take for granted that I can easily get out of bed, care for my two active and busy young boys, run, play tennis, clean my house, or sit at a desk for several hours at a time. None of these tasks were easy for me before meeting Heather. Eight years ago my car was struck from behind by a tractor trailer that was estimated to have been speeding. I spent 3 years working with different PTs and Drs trying to heal and move on with my life. When I became pregnant and the hormone relaxin that “relaxes” all the joints of the body and the additional weight gain erased all my progress and I was suddenly in a lot of pain again. My OB sent me to Heather for one last try.

Read more: Testimonial by J.H.

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