The Femina Physical Therapy Blog
Featuring original articles by our staff about current events and trends
Explore our insightful blog articles on pelvic health, where we delve into essential topics that empower and educate. From understanding pelvic floor disorders to strategies for conquering infertility, our content is designed for those seeking knowledge and support. We discuss the latest research, expert advice, and practical tips to enhance your well-being and foster a deeper connection to your body.
Featured From the Blog:
Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 2: Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 2: Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
This article takes a looks at intrauterine devices (IUDs) and it’s potential effect on vulvodynia, or vulvar pain.
Intrauterine devices, also called long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), have become more and more popular as a birth control method in the United States due to high efficacy, less side effects and higher continuation compared to other hormonal contraceptive methods1,2,6. They are offered in two forms; hormonal (common brand names are Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, Liletta) and copper IUDs. For this blog, we will be exploring the effects of the hormonal IUD only. This type of IUD releases progestin into the body which suppresses endometrial cell growth (called proliferation) and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy4.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 2: Hormonal...
Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 1: Combined Hormonal Methods
We Take a Look at Combined Methods of Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia
In this three part series, we will explore the effects of hormonal contraceptive methods and their relationship with vulvodynia.
What is Hormonal Birth Control?
Hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, rings and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), work by altering hormone levels in the body to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives fall into two categories: combined, meaning they contain both estrogen and progestin (think the pill, patch, or ring), or contain progestin only (think progestin only pill or “POP”, arm implant, IUDs, or injections). While the primary intent of these drugs are for contraception, they are also widely prescribed for other common issues such as: mood imbalance related to periods, skin issues, irregular periods, and painful periods.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 1: Combined...
Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation (TBML)
Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation Can Help Make Breastfeeding Less Painful
Breastfeeding is widely accepted as the normal standard for providing nutrition to newborns, however, many women who do not reach their breastfeeding goals. US national data stated that breast pain was a commonly reported reason for women weaning less than 1 month postpartum. Within that segment, 29% of women who participated in the study stated that “breastfeeding was too painful” to continue.
In the same study, 24% of women reported “breasts feel(ing) too full or engorged” as another reason to discontinue breastfeeding prior to 1 month postpartum.1 Currently, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life. As physical therapists who treat patients with postpartum conditions, we are well positioned to make a big impact on patients with breastfeeding related pain and reduce barriers to continued breastfeeding!
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 8 Views
Sexual Function After Childbirth Can Be Restored With These Tips
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on research performed on cis-gendered women
Many women are told at their 6 week postpartum follow-up, that they are cleared for sexual intercourse, however, most women do not return to sexual intercourse at this time frame, for several reasons1,2. If this is you, you are not alone, and you are actually in the vast majority. During this unique time in a woman’s life, she is experiencing physical, emotional, and relational changes that all influence a woman’s sexuality. Physically, many women experience pain with sex, lack of desire, and decreased lubrication2. One of the biggest causes found to contribute to these symptoms was hormonal changes related to whether a woman is breastfeeding during the postpartum period or not. While breastfeeding can offer a host of benefits, for mom and baby, it can be a cause of pain with sex because of the decreased sex hormones impacting the tissue of the vagina and vulva2,3, leading to a condition called vulvodynia (For more information about this condition, and if this sounds like you, check out this blog post to learn more .)
Read more: Barriers to Restoring Sexual Function After Childbirth
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 15 Views
Yoga Practice For Chronic Pelvic Pain Can Be a Very Helpful Routine
As stated in my last blog post, yoga can be so beneficial as a pain management tool due to its ability to modulate the sympathetic nervous system3,4 which plays a large role in chronic pain. The exact mechanism of how yoga helps with chronic pain is still being studied, however, it is reasonable to believe the full body relaxation promoted by a yoga practice helps to decrease tension in key muscle groups- including the hips and pelvic floor which are often tight in people with chronic pelvic pain.
Read more: Restorative 20 Minute Home Yoga Practice For Chronic...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 250 Views
We Take a Look at Combined Methods of Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia
In this three part series, we will explore the effects of hormonal contraceptive methods and their relationship with vulvodynia.
What is Hormonal Birth Control?
Hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, rings and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), work by altering hormone levels in the body to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives fall into two categories: combined, meaning they contain both estrogen and progestin (think the pill, patch, or ring), or contain progestin only (think progestin only pill or “POP”, arm implant, IUDs, or injections). While the primary intent of these drugs are for contraception, they are also widely prescribed for other common issues such as: mood imbalance related to periods, skin issues, irregular periods, and painful periods.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 1: Combined...
- Details
- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 467 Views
Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia - Part 2: Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUD)
This article takes a looks at intrauterine devices (IUDs) and it’s potential effect on vulvodynia, or vulvar pain.
Intrauterine devices, also called long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), have become more and more popular as a birth control method in the United States due to high efficacy, less side effects and higher continuation compared to other hormonal contraceptive methods1,2,6. They are offered in two forms; hormonal (common brand names are Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, Liletta) and copper IUDs. For this blog, we will be exploring the effects of the hormonal IUD only. This type of IUD releases progestin into the body which suppresses endometrial cell growth (called proliferation) and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy4.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 2: Hormonal...
- Details
- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 236 Views
Is the hormonal birth control mini pill better than the regular pill?
If you have been following along, this is the third part of our hormonal birth control and vulvodynia series. First, we covered how combination methods of birth control (containing synthetic forms of both estrogen and progesterone) could lead to vulvodynia. We then explored if there is a risk of developing vulvodynia after the insertion of a hormonal intrauterine device IUD). In this post, we will delve into the relationship between the progesterone only birth control pill, also called “the mini pill,” and vulvodynia. As a quick refresher, vulvodynia is pain on the vulva, or external genital tissue. For more information about vulvodynia, check out this post on our website.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 3: The Mini Pill
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- Written by: Iris Xu
- 993 Views
Have you ever experienced a peculiar mix of constipation and diarrhea at the same time? This unusual phenomenon, known as paradoxical diarrhea or overflow diarrhea, can be both confusing and uncomfortable. Here’s what you need to know about this condition:
Read more: Understanding Paradoxical Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and...
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 290 Views
In this article we’ll discuss how to assess if you may have a weak pelvic floor, what symptoms are and basic orientation to the pelvic floor.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a very important group of muscles that live in the bottom of the pelvis. Both men and women have a pelvic floor. These muscles sit in the bottom of the pelvic floor like a hammock, and can move up and down like a trampoline to support your internal organs inside your body. They also help to control the openings and closures in the bottom of the pelvis, which is why they are so essential to urinary, bowel and sexual function. Just like any muscle, when they are weak, they can start to cause issues with any of these functions. Common signs of a weak pelvic floor include urinary incontinence, fecal (or bowel) incontinence, feeling of pelvic heaviness or pelvic organ prolapse, as well as low back or hip pain.
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- Written by: Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
- 210 Views
Does my pelvic girdle pain have anything to do with my mood and sexuality?
Many of our patients experience sexual dysfunction and anxiety, depression and chronic pain. These conditions are known to coexist, and we unpack each component of pain, mood and one’s behaviors, desires and attitudes related to sex and physical intimacy.
Read more: Postpartum Sexuality & Mood Changes in Women with Pelvic...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 214 Views
Chronic pelvic pain is a common debilitating condition that greatly impacts a person’s health and quality of life. Often, the origin of the pain can have one or several causes including: endometriosis, vulvodynia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, adenomyosis, fibroids, celiac disease, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, and chronic urinary tract infections, to name a few5. Sometimes, the exact origin of the pain is unknown, even stated as high as 61% of chronic pelvic pain cases5. To learn more about the interactions between these conditions and how they can cause chronic pain see this previous blog post here.
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 446 Views
What is symphysis pubis dysfunction (Lightning Crotch)?
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), also known as pubic symphysis dysfunction, anterior pelvic girdle pain, or lightning crotch, is a common musculoskeletal condition that is experienced by pregnant women and can vary from minor discomfort to severely debilitating pain. It is typically characterized by discomfort in the front pelvic area that can radiate to the inner thighs and perineum (think where your pubic bone is).
Read more: Lightning Crotch in Pregnancy: How You Can Start...
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- Written by: Sarah Bellon, PT, DPT, CLT
- 565 Views
More On How to Help Lipedema and Lymphedema
In our previous article, we went over the definitions of Lipedema and Lymphedema and just barely scratched the surface on treatment options. This article will go into more details on the different treatment options we offer at Femina Physical Therapy to help support our patients with these diagnoses.
Here are some treatments that are beneficial for both conditions.
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- Written by: Sarah Bellon, PT, DPT, CLT
- 595 Views
Learn How To Help Lipedema
This article covers the differences between Lipedema and Lymphedema and what treatment looks like for them.
Few conditions are as prevalent and underdiagnosed as lipedema. Lipedema is the symmetrical buildup of painful subcutaneous adipose tissue (fat) and fluid in the limbs. Adipose tissue accumulates primarily in the thighs, buttocks, legs, and arms, typically without involvement in the face, hands, and feet. Lipedema is a chronic progressive condition that is frequently confused with obesity, even by healthcare providers. With obesity, adipose tissue accumulates in the entire body. Lipedema can also be present in the absence of obesity. Since lipedema is often confused with obesity, the exact prevalence is unknown. The most commonly cited prevalence in cisgender women is estimated at 11%.
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- Written by: Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CLT, CSCS
- 571 Views
What is Edema, and what causes swelling during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, extra water and salt retention is one of the most common complaints and symptoms that occur during pregnancy– this is called edema. Edema happens as a result of a few different changes that occur in pregnancy: the growth of the baby as they put greater pressure on one of the major blood vessels of the body called the vena cava which is located in the abdomen; hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy such as changes in progesterone, estrogen HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and prolactin which can cause increased swelling in the body; increased blood volume (by up to 50% more in pregnancy). Additionally, varicose veins may occur in up to 60% of females, with an increased risk depending on increased age and increased number of pregnancies.1 Edema can cause stiffness in joints, heaviness, and a sensation of warmth in the area that is swollen.
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 1671 Views
Are You Suffering From Chronic Overlapping Pelvic Pain Conditions? We Can Help!
Part 1: Endometriosis and Vulvodynia
Chronic pelvic pain, sometimes abbreviated to “CPP”, is defined as “pain in the abdomen or pelvis for at least 14 days per month and severe enough to cause functional limitations” by a recent literature review of chronic pelvic pain5. The cause of chronic pelvic pain is often multifactorial and can be the result of conditions such as:
- endometriosis
- Vulvodynia (or vestibulodynia)
- interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Read more: Chronic Overlapping Pelvic Pain Conditions: Endometriosis...
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- Written by: Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
- 3207 Views
Discover the Ways Urinary Incontinence and Weight Are Linked
Today, let's delve into the intricacies of bladder leakage, commonly known as urinary incontinence (UI)
Balancing health and weight involves various factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, making it a complex aspect of well-being. As a pivotal metric for assessing health, weight is not only a symptom but can also act as a causative factor for various health conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, a staggering 41.9% of adults in the U.S. are affected by obesity, accounting for $173 billion in annual healthcare costs. While the implications of being overweight on cardiovascular and mental health are widely known, we explore whether it can also impact pelvic floor health, especially in the context of urinary incontinence.
Read more: Exploring the Connection Between Urinary Incontinence and...
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- Written by: Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT
- 4796 Views
Did You Know That Proper Footwear Can Improve Your Running Mechanics and Pelvic Floor Health?
How Do My Feet Impact My Pelvic Floor When I Run?
If you are a runner, you tend to look for ways to improve your running. If you’re thinking about starting up or returning to running, it can feel intimidating particularly if you have any symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction. This only complicates an exercise that, on the surface, seems fairly straight forward. There are some studies that have looked at how your feet can play a part in your pelvic floor muscle function while you run. And if you are looking to return to running postpartum, read on and also check out this article by one of our pelvic floor physical therapists.
Read more: Running Mechanics and Pelvic Floor Health: The Impact of...