By Iris Farrou
01 Sep, 2023
Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, New Moms, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Postpartum, Prevention, Women's Health
abdominal, Childbirth, constipation, dysfunction, floor, obesity, Pain, painful sex, pelvic, Physical Therapy, pilates, Pregnancy, pregnant, PT, tailbone, weakened pelvic floor, Why is sex painful
When we hear about pelvic floor exercises, we often associate them with either older women, or pregnant women/women who have just given birth. This is a common misconception–older women and new mothers may see immediate benefits when engaging in pelvic floor PT, but everyone can benefit from it.
No matter your age or overall physical health, if you were assigned female at birth, knowledge is power when it comes to knowing what your pelvic floor looks like, and what it does:
- Imagine your pelvic floor as a hammock of support consisting of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and connective tissue. This hammock is between the tailbone and the pubic bone.
- First and foremost, your pelvic floor supports the bowels, bladder, uterus, and vagina; there are also muscular bands that pass through the pelvic floor that encircle the urethra, vagina and anus.
- All this, when it functions properly, plays a key role in bowel and bladder control. Your pelvic floor also helps you stabilize your pelvis and your spine, and assists with sexual function.
Who is at risk of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Remember that the pelvic floor is mostly made up of muscles, and like any muscles in our body those–too–can weaken or suffer damage and lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. People who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, chronic constipation, or obesity may be at higher risk as their pelvic floor has, and does, work harder to support their normal bodily functions and the bowels/bladder.
Some of the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction may include pain during intercourse, bladder pain, bowel or urinary incontinence, frequent urination, persisting pubic, tailbone, or lower abdominal pain, and constipation–to name a few. More serious issues may include pelvic organ prolapse: bowel prolapse, prolapsed uterus, and even endometriosis.
How can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapists are not just experts who help you walk better after an injury, they are medical experts in the functions of muscles, joints, and nerves, and have an in-depth and holistic understanding of human health. Just like any medical field, PTs have areas of expertise and you may want to work with someone who is trained on pelvic floor functions.
A PT will assess your whole body after consulting with you, not just the problem or painful areas. Your medical history, symptoms, and needs will of course be taken into account to create an individualized plan for your pelvic floor health. The exercises will, and should, be done with the physical therapist–unless they assign you specific exercises to do at home. Since our pelvic floor is basically holding everything in our body together, the center so to speak, don’t be surprised if some exercises are not directly working on the pelvic area; ask your PT to explain why they are assigning you an exercise, and how it will help you. Some soreness or aches are normal after your PT sessions, but this is not a “no pain, no gain” situation: at no point during PT should you feel acute pain or strain on your muscles/ligaments.
And for this subject, the saying “the sooner, the better” cannot be emphasized enough: do not wait until you’re older, pregnant, or have any painful symptoms to get started on strengthening your pelvic floor.
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By Iris Farrou
31 Jul, 2023
Da Vinci Robotic Surgery, Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Hysterectomy, Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Procedures, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Robot Hysterectomy, WNY Ob-Gyn News, Women's Health
3D imaging, abnormal vaginal bleeding, Cancer Treatment, cervical, cervix, endometriosis, faster recovery, fibroids, Laparoscopic Surgery, minimally invasive surgery, Ovarian, ovaries, pelvic pain, Precancer, Robot Assisted Hysterectomy, Robot Hysterectomy, uterine, uterine prolapse, uterus
What is it?
You may have heard of a traditional hysterectomy, which refers to the surgical procedure to remove the uterus (hysteros) from the body. In this case, the procedure is done with a large incision and requires longer recovery time. Nowadays, doctors can use robotic technology to their advantage–and to the advantage of the patients–to perform certain procedures, hysterectomy being one of them. In robotic hysterectomy, your doctor uses the technology to make small incisions of 1-2cm and fully controls the robotic arms with a controller while looking at a 3D magnified image of the area of surgery on their screen.
How does it work?
Robotic hysterectomy is a type of laparoscopic surgery: it is less invasive than traditional surgery, and patients experience much less pain, faster recovery, and less blood loss than open abdominal hysterectomy. Your doctor makes small incisions on your abdomen, and then inserts a laparoscope and other surgical instruments through the incisions. The laparoscope is a very thin tube with light and a camera at the end, thus projecting the surgery on a high-definition and magnified screen; this allows your surgeon to be aware of a lot more details during the surgery, as well as possible problems, than the human eye itself since the image is magnified up to 15 times.
The instruments used during robotic hysterectomy, particularly the technology of the daVinci surgical system, mimic the movement of human hands but with a lot more dexterity, precision, and flexibility. Your surgeon has full control over the instruments at all times, and they would be in the operating room just a few feet away from you. As opposed to traditional surgery where the surgeon would be standing over you for long periods of time, robotic hysterectomy allows your surgeon to utilize the constant steadiness of the robot arms to operate from angles and positions that would be typically hard to reach. Keep in mind that the robotic arms are more precise than natural hand movements, and they will not get tired during the surgery.
Who needs it?
Hysterectomies may be suggested to treat conditions like cancer or precancer of the uterus, cervix, and ovaries, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Robotic hysterectomy is one of the methods surgeons can use to remove the uterus from the body, and though less invasive and more precise, surgeons decide on a case by case basis whether robotic hysterectomy is an appropriate option for their patients. Robot assisted procedures can be especially helpful if you have a complex surgical case, such as scar tissue that binds surrounding organs together and would need more precision during surgery.
What happens after it?
Like with any surgery, there will be a recovery period. Patients who have had robotic hysterectomies report that they heal faster and experience less pain; we need to remember that every body is different, and that people recover at different rates. After a robotic hysterectomy, you may be expected to stay the night at the hospital, and you may experience vaginal bleeding for a few days or weeks after your surgery. Full recovery can take 3-4 weeks, and vaginal intercourse should be avoided for at least 6 weeks after the surgery. If you are concerned about any symptoms or adverse reactions, reach out to your doctor and immediately seek professional assistance.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21057-robotic-assisted-hysterectomy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/robotic-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384544
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By Iris Farrou
22 Apr, 2023
Diet & Exercise, Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Pregnancy, Prevention, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Women's Health
bladder control, Body Changes In Menopause, bowel function, Childbirth, core strengthening, Early menopause, ease the birthing process, estrogen loss, Frequent urination, Kegel, natural delivery, Pelvic Floor, pelvic floor dysfunction, pilates, Strengthen pelvic floor muscles, stress urinary incontinence, SUI, UTI, vaginal delivery, weak bladder
Maybe the first word that comes to mind when you hear about Pelvic Floor Exercises is “Kegel”! Yes, that’s correct– Kegel exercises are one way to exercise your pelvic floor muscles, but they are not the only ones. Kegel balls have lately become popular as an easier and faster way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, increase sexual pleasure, and prevent incontinence (especially if you were Assigned Female at Birth–AFAB). However, there is much debate over them, so before we worry about that we will provide some information on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises in general.
What are the benefits for AFAB people?
- Pelvic floor exercises improve bladder and bowel function control, which can be extremely helpful after childbirth or in older years. It can help with constipation, and with incontinence.
- Strong muscles on your pelvic floor can also significantly reduce the risk of prolapse.
- If you are considering childbirth, they do support vaginal delivery, and strong pelvic muscles will also greatly improve your recovery from childbirth and other gynecological surgeries.
- They are reported to help with vaginal contractions and blood flow during sex, thus increasing sexual satisfaction and orgasmic potential.
Like any self-care routine, and especially an exercise routine that helps you strengthen your muscles, training your pelvic floor muscles can help you increase your social confidence and overall quality of life.
How do they help with pregnancy and delivery?
Your pelvic floor muscles are first in line to be affected if you become pregnant; the weight of your growing baby will undeniably put extra strain on the pelvic floor. In addition to the weight, hormonal changes in pregnancy cause your muscles to soften and stretch more easily. That can lead to bladder/ bowel problems while you are pregnant and after giving birth.
It is recommended to start strengthening your pelvic floor as soon as you learn that you are pregnant. Strong muscles in the area will reduce the risk of bowel or bladder problems during your pregnancy, you will learn how to control your muscles to assist with contractions during childbirth (in the case of vaginal delivery), and with a strong pelvic floor you will return to normal much easier after delivery.
What happens to the pelvic floor after menopause?
After menopause, the production of estrogen in our bodies significantly reduces. This can lead to weaker or stiffer muscles on the pelvic floor. Connective tissues may provide less support, and along with a lifetime of bad habits and lack of specific exercise, we may be in danger of experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction.
The pelvic floor muscles are part of your spine and pelvis. If they are struggling, you may experience pain in your lower back. Weak pelvic muscles can also lead to Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), which means you may not be able to control your bladder during seemingly simple activities, like laughing, coughing, or sneezing. More serious pelvic dysfunctions can be pelvic organ prolapse–which can be avoided with pelvic floor rehabilitation–and bowel and urinary urgency, where we may not be able to control the urge to urinate or defecate and incidents of leakage may occur.
No matter your age, it is never too soon or too late to start looking into pelvic floor exercises or rehabilitation that are best for you, your physical condition, and your abilities.
https://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/pelvic-floor-muscle-exercises-for-women.html
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pelvic-floor-exercises
https://provenancerehab.com/aging-and-the-pelvic-floor/
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By Iris Farrou
27 Mar, 2023
Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Prevention, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Women's Health
Acute UTI, Aging and Painful Sex, Aging and UTIs, Am I going through menopause, Bladder Incontinence, Body Changes In Menopause, Easing the Symptoms of Menopause, Menopause, Pelvic Floor, Prevent urinary tract infection, Urinary Tract Infection, UTI
If you have a vagina, then you have possibly been warned about the dangers of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and the ever-present danger that they may return and not leave you alone. Many women also report they get UTIs so often that they get used to the symptoms– so much so that they don’t realize they have an infection until it gets too bad. Because nobody likes more pain, or more health risks, let’s take a look at the three areas of the urinary tract that a UTI may affect, and the possible symptoms:
| Area |
Symptoms |
| Kidneys |
Nausea, vomiting, back/side pain, shaking and chills, high fever |
| Bladder |
Frequent and painful urination, blood in urine, pelvic pressure, lower belly discomfort |
| Urethra |
Unusual discharge, burning sensation during urination |
Did you know that UTIs are the most common bacterial infection in women over 65? Though young people certainly can suffer from a UTI, untreated UTIs in older women can lead to much more serious health issues, like kidney failure or sepsis. One reason for older women’s susceptibility to UTIs is the weakened muscles in the bladder and pelvic floor, causing incontinence or urinary retention. The longer the urine remains in the urinary tract, the higher the risk of bacterial multiplication.
Another reason why older women are at a higher risk for a UTI is because estrogen levels drop significantly after menopause. This can lead to an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina, heightening the risk of an infection. It is suggested that post menopausal women use vaginal estrogen creams, which can help support the presence of good bacteria. Drinking plenty of water and fluids, especially cranberry juice, can also help prevent infections.
No matter your age, to lessen the risk of a UTI you should also make sure you are wearing loose clothing, emptying your bladder often, wiping front to back, and always keep an eye out for possible symptoms if you have reason to be concerned. UTIs are usually treated with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, as those are more likely to be accepted by the body. In more advanced cases, UTI patients are hospitalized and receive IV antibiotics.
If you or a loved one use pads or adult diapers, you should make sure to change them often and clean the area well, pat dry, between uses. UTIs can be especially problematic for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, as they often cannot communicate their needs or state their symptoms. In those cases, the UTI may escalate to the point where the affected person starts acting erratically, more confused than usual, and even more disoriented. If those symptoms worsen, it is definitely advisable to have elderly female patients be treated by a doctor immediately.
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/the-risk-of-utis-as-you-age
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
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By Iris Farrou
05 Oct, 2022
Diet & Exercise, Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, Nutrition, Peri-Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Prevention, Queer Health, Women's Health, Young adults & teens
Bone Density, Bone Health, Calcium Deficiency, Importance of a Healthy Diet for Young Women, Nutrient Absorption, Nutrition for women, Osteoperosis, Peri-Menopause Health, Preventing Osteoporosis, Womens Nutrition
You may have heard the occasional old person complain about their bones hurting when the
weather turns, or struggle to eliminate chronic back and joint pain. Though there can be many
reasons for this, one of the most common is the silent disease of osteoporosis: it causes bones to
weaken and turn brittle and fragile. As such, the risk of broken bones or fractures is significantly
increased.
Unfortunately, if you’re not regularly tested for osteoporosis you may not even be able
to tell you have this disease until a seemingly minor accident leaves you with a broken bone…
How to Diagnose
The later stages of osteoporosis come with several symptoms, such as back pain, stooped
posture, minor fractures, and loss of height. You can, however, be proactive about osteoporosis
before you suffer those symptoms or a broken bone (seemingly out of nowhere!). The easiest
way to keep tabs on osteoporosis is a bone density test. Imagine osteoporosis turning your strong
bones into sponge-like structures. Bone density tests help compare your bone density to the
average bone density of a healthy, young, US-based woman. They are officially called Bone
Mineral Density (BMD) tests, and resemble an X-ray but with less radiation exposure. The BMD
results, along with other health factors taken into consideration, estimate your risk of having a
bone fracture in the next decade.
Getting Tested
As osteoporosis may creep up on you, it is recommended to get tested if you are a woman of
menopausal age with osteoporosis risk factors, or a woman over the age of 65. If you are under
65 but have a family history of osteoporosis and are postmenopausal, you should also get tested.
Breaking a bone after age 50 is also a good indicator you should get tested for osteoporosis.
If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and are even taking medications for it,
you may want to repeat BMD tests every couple of years. If you are switching osteoporosis
medications, it is likely that your medical professional will recommend you get tested.
Preventing Osteoporosis
There are several risk factors for osteoporosis, including age, sex, race and family history.
Women are at a greater risk for osteoporosis, as are all people as they get older. If you are white
or of Asian descent, you may also be at a higher risk. Some factors that can be controlled are low
sex hormones, excessive thyroid hormone, and other overactive parathyroid or adrenal glands.
Low calcium intake puts you at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, as it contributes to
decreased bone density. Eating disorders or being severely underweight do the same, as they can
weaken bones in both men and women. Gastrointestinal surgery can also have a negative impact
on your bone density, as this type of surgery limits the available surface area of your body to
absorb nutrients, including calcium.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoporosis/guide/symptoms/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968
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By Iris Farrou
07 Sep, 2022
Lifestyle Tips, Menopause, Peri-Menopause, Prevention, Queer Health, Reproductive health, Sexual health, Women's Health
Aging and Painful Sex, Body Changes In Menopause, Easing the Symptoms of Menopause, Lubricants, Lubrication, Painful Intercourse, Peri-Menopause Health, Preparing for Menopause, Sex-Positivity After Menopause, Sooth Vaginal Pain During Intercourse, treatments for vaginal dryness, Vaginal dryness
One of the most often talked about symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness. It would be ideal if it only showed up when menopause started, but unfortunately it can start happening even a few
years before menopause. Just as a bonus, women can also experience vaginal dryness after childbirth, while breast feeding, or even if they are taking certain allergy medicine or certain antidepressants.
Back to the hormonal factors, however, vaginal dryness begin hand in hand with vaginal atrophy. A truly scary word, though it simply means your body is not producing as much estrogen as before. Estrogen is responsible for the natural lubrication, elasticity, and thickness of the cervix: once estrogen production goes down, the natural lubrication of the vagina is no longer happening, and the vaginal walls can experience thinning, drying, and possible inflammations.
Lubrication
Basically, it all comes back to lubrication: since your body’s natural lubrication system retires at the age of menopause, you need to supplement vaginal lubrication via external (internal) means. Most often, especially because vaginal dryness can lead to pain during intercourse, women will turn towards vaginal lubricants. Though a great solution, it is but temporary. For something more long lasting, you may want to look into vaginal moisturizers. You can apply them every few days to moisturize and keep vaginal tissue healthy.
There is also the option to reinvigorate vaginal tissues. Science really does wonders… this can be
a low dose vaginal estrogen cream, tablet, or ring. Note that this can be prescribed in additional
to other hormonal supplements you may be taking. It is meant to specifically tackle vaginal
dryness, especially if it persists while you are on hormonal treatment post-menopause. You will
need to discuss this option with your doctors and take into consideration any other health issues
you may have faced, particularly breast cancer.
There is also the option of an oral medication, Ospemifene or Osphena, which is more geared
towards addressing vaginal pain during intercourse. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator,
SERM, medication but women who have a high risk of breast cancer, or have faced breast
cancer, best not consider it as an option. For more details on what this medication can do for you,
consult with your doctor or medical professional.
Another technique to help you ease painful intercourse if you are post-menopausal is a nightly
vaginal suppository containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
It’s also important to note that vaginal stimulation or even regular sexual activity, solo or with a
partner, can absolutely help post-menopausal women keep their vaginal tissues healthy. Above
all, remember this is a very natural response of your body to hormonal changes, there is nothing
to be ashamed about, and it is well within your rights to seek healthy treatments that work for
you and your body. You owe it to yourself, and though we can’t turn back the clock, we can
make sure we are living pain-free and comfortable lives within the new parameters our bodies
present to us.
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