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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:
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...
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...
Vulvovaginal Moisturizers: Who Needs One & Choosing the Right One
Choosing the Right Vulvovaginal Moisturizer
Assuming you need one, make sure it's got the right ingredient list
There are many reasons why those born with female anatomy may require the use of a vulvovaginal moisturizer throughout their lifetime. As you age, the vaginal and vulvar tissues tend to become drier and less elastic. This change is typically seen around the time one goes through menopause due to the drop in estrogen that occurs. The vulvovaginal tissues are very sensitive to hormonal changes and estrogen is the hormone that controls vaginal lubrication, as well as tissue elasticity and thickness.
Read more: Vulvovaginal Moisturizers: Who Needs One & Choosing the...
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- Written by: Iris Xu
- 4321 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
- 1296 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
- 1105 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
- 945 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
- 1600 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
- 1790 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
- 1901 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
- 1144 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.
