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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:
Treating Bloating and Abdominal Distension: a Multi-Disciplinary Team
Why a Multi-Disciplinary Team is Best for Treating Bloating and Abdominal Distension
Bloating, abdominal distension, loose stools, constipation, abdominal or pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, weakness, nutritional deficiencies… these symptoms may be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal or pelvic conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, this article is a good place to start when deciding who to have on your care team, and what treatments can help!
Why a Multidisciplinary Team is Best for Treatment of Bloating and Abdominal Distension
Bloating and Abdominal Distension Often Benefit Greatly from Multidisciplinary Treatment
Bloating, abdominal distension, loose stools, constipation, abdominal or pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, weakness, nutritional deficiencies…
These symptoms may be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal or pelvic conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, this article is a good place to start when deciding who to have on your care team, and what treatments can help!
Bloating is the sensation of excess abdominal gas or a feeling of being distended without obvious visible abdominal distension. Some people have a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper abdominal area. Abdominal distension is the visible increase in abdominal girth. A multidisciplinary treatment team of primary care physicians (PCPs), gastroenterologists, dieticians/ nutritionists, and physical therapists is ideal to help manage these symptoms and find the root cause. For example, symptoms of bloating and abdominal distension affect 66 - 90% diagnosed with IBS. Getting the proper diagnosis can help direct the best treatment options for you.
Read more: Why a Multidisciplinary Team is Best for Treatment of...
Lightning Crotch in Pregnancy: How You Can Start Recovering from SPD
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: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 655 Views
Sexuality Changes Postpartum Are Common
Sexual Function After Childbirth Can Be Restored With These Tips
In my last blog post, we explored the barriers many women face during the postpartum period regarding return to their sexual lives. Several physical, emotional, and relational components can delay the return to sexual activity, and the enjoyment of it as well. If you missed that post, check it out here.
A qualitative study of over 1000 women was performed in interview style to collect coping mechanisms new moms adapted to deal with all of the changes that come with the postpartum period that impact their sexuality. The women were found to have three different categories of coping mechanisms: emotional, relational, and physical. Summarized below are the common strategies used by women to recover their sexuality postpartum:
Read more: Coping Mechanisms for Sexuality Changes Postpartum
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 697 Views
What are the “deep core muscles”?
The “deep core” is a muscle group that acts to stabilize your spine. This muscle group consists of the diaphragm, the pelvic floor muscles, the transverse abdominis and the multifidi muscles. When properly engaged, your intra-abdominal pressure increases and improves stability in the core. Due to the connection to your diaphragm, breath control is essential to core stability.
How are your deep core muscles affected by pregnancy?
These muscles are essential to stabilize your spine and create a solid foundation in order for you to move well and efficiently. During pregnancy, as your baby bump grows, the pressure in your abdomen increases. This means that the deep core structures have to work overtime in order to maintain core stability. The abdominal wall stretches to create space for a growing baby and this can affect the integrity and strength of the transverse abdominis. The increased weight of a growing baby can also put increased pressure on the pelvic floor and may cause pain or other pelvic health symptoms such as urinary leakage.
Read more: What are deep core muscles and how does pregnancy affect...
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- Written by: Iris Xu
- 854 Views
As the popularity of medications like semiglutides rises for weight management, many people may unknowingly exacerbate underlying conditions such as gastroparesis, making it essential to explore the interconnectedness of digestive health and pelvic function. Gastroparesis is a chronic digestive disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying. This condition occurs when the muscles in the stomach are unable to contract properly, preventing the efficient movement of food into the small intestine. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, and abdominal pain. Gastroparesis can significantly impact a person's quality of life, causing discomfort and nutritional deficiencies.
Causes and Risk Factors of Gastroparesis:
The causes of gastroparesis are varied and can include diabetes, nerve damage, connective tissue disorders, and certain medications. For instance, weight loss medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (terzepatide) have been associated with gastrointestinal side effects, including gastroparesis. Diabetes is a major risk factor, as high blood sugar levels can damage the vagus nerve, which controls stomach muscles. Other risk factors include abdominal surgery, viral infections, hypothyroidism, and eating disorders.
Read more: Understanding Gastroparesis and the Role of Pelvic Floor...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 829 Views
Why Sexual Function After Childbirth Can Be a Challenge
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
- 633 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.
Currently, evidence has mostly focused on one hour long practices as an intervention, although there are some studies that report improvements in pain with shorter practices, such as the routine below. As with any mobility/stretching routine, benefits will be seen with more frequent practice, however even twice weekly can help decrease pain.
Read more: Restorative 20 Minute Home Yoga Practice For Chronic...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 1247 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...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 1275 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.
I consider myself to be a case study when it comes to the topic of hormonal birth control and pelvic pain. I have tried several variations of the combo pill, progestin only pill, the Mirena IUD and most recently, the Nuvaring. When taking the combination methods, I definitely noticed the side effects previously mentioned in my last blog post. However, in my early twenties, when I was on the Mirena (hormonal IUD), I didn’t notice any of these side effects.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 2: Hormonal...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 838 Views
The Relationship Between Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia
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.
Similar to the hormonal IUD, the mini pill works as a contraceptive by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. Similar to the IUD, it is an expected side effect to experience spotting in the first few months of use1. Interestingly, some women will no longer ovulate, while some will continue to, about 4 in 10, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists1.
Read more: Hormonal Birth Control and Vulvodynia Part 3: The Mini Pill
