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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:
Understanding Relaxin: Why It Doesn’t Cause Pain in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of significant physical and hormonal changes, and among the many hormones involved, Relaxin plays a crucial role. However, there’s a common misconception that Relaxin is responsible for pain during pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at what Relaxin does and why it doesn’t directly cause pain.
What is Relaxin?
Relaxin is a regulatory hormone involved in growth, metabolism, and tissue remodeling after an injury to our bones, ligaments, muscles or tendons (Dehghan 2014). During pregnancy, Relaxin levels begin to increase in the first trimester to help the body prepare for childbirth by relaxing the ligaments in the pelvis and softening the cervix (Aldabe 2012, Daneau 2014). The ligaments of the pelvis will begin to relax around the 10th-12th week of pregnancy (Aldabe 2012). This process allows for greater flexibility in the pelvic area, facilitating delivery and accommodating the growing baby.
Read more: Understanding Relaxin: Why It Doesn’t Cause Pain in...
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...
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...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 1199 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
- 767 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
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- Written by: Iris Xu
- 4078 Views
Don't Let Paradoxical Diarrhea Ruin Your Day
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:
What is Paradoxical Diarrhea?
Paradoxical diarrhea occurs when liquid stool leaks around impacted, hardened stool in the colon. This leakage leads to symptoms of both constipation and diarrhea simultaneously. It’s often associated with conditions like mixed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M).1
Read more: Understanding Paradoxical Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and...
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- Written by: Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
- 1163 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
- 965 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.
Pelvic girdle pain is defined as “pain between the posterior iliac crests and gluteal folds particularly in the vicinity of the sacroiliac joint” (Simonds). More simply stated: in the very low area of your back and buttock. Pelvic girdle pain is common postpartum and may impact disability in the fourth trimester. Many are aware of peripartum symptoms such as low back pain, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pain with intercourse, and postpartum depression. Knowing that many women experience pain during and after pregnancy - what can we learn about the effects of pelvic girdle pain? Specifically, what impact does pelvic girdle pain have on symptoms of mood and sexuality?
Read more: Postpartum Sexuality & Mood Changes in Women with Pelvic...
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- Written by: Anna Larson, PT, DPT
- 805 Views
Learn All About the Benefits of Yoga for Chronic Pelvic Pain
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
- 1416 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
- 1600 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.
