Let’s talk about skid-marked underwear. (Yes, really.) Although skid marks are often reserved for newly toilet-trained toddlers, many grown folks—and their washing machines—face this problem every single day. (You’d be surprised by how many internet searches there are for “skid-marked underwear”!) It’s an embarrassing problem, but it doesn’t have to be forever! Why do I have skid-marked underwear?  While inadequate or improper wiping can leave fecal matter in your undies, fecal staining or fecal seepage more often occurs for physiological reasons. Fecal incontinence is the inability to co ..read more

As women age, plenty of changes happen down there. When you finally stop having a period, you might jump for joy… right up until a new not-so-fun symptom shows up. It’s time to start thinking about bladder control and menopause. You just can’t hold your pee like you used to.  So what’s the deal? Do you have a UTI? Probably not. Did your bladder get smaller? Unlikely. Is this just your new normal? Hell to the no. While bladder control and menopause problems can go hand-in-hand, purchasing pantyliners in bulk doesn’t have to be a given! Here’s everything you need to know about your changing ..read more

From Dr. Krystyna Holland, PT, DPT (she/her): Author of the Playbook for Painless Sex, CEO and Founder of Inclusive Care LLC. What is Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorder? In my pelvic floor physical therapy practice, I often see individuals seeking help for the all-too-common issue of pain during sex, also known as “dyspareunia.” This discomfort affects up to 40% of women in the United States and can be incredibly distressing. More specifically, genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder refers to pain in the vagina with penetrative sex. Understanding Genito-pelvic pain penetration disorder r ..read more

Pregnancy is tough on your pelvic floor and core. You may pee a little when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. You may get *really* constipated. You may find yourself waddling to the bathroom. And hemorrhoids? Wild. We’re often told to expect pelvic floor problems during pregnancy. But here’s the truth: While pelvic floor problems are common, they’re not normal.  One of the best ways to prevent pregnancy and postpartum pelvic floor problems is to exercise during pregnancy. (Yes, really!) So let’s talk about what core exercises are safe during pregnancy. Core Exercises in Pregnancy 101 Q: Are co ..read more

The labor and delivery experience is unique to everyone. Depending on whom you ask, giving birth might feel beautiful, empowering, intense, scary… or all the above. And it isn’t just the few hours (or days) of labor that bring up all that emotion. It’s the after part, too. Not the baby part. The body part.  As a board-certified pelvic floor therapist, I’ve heard a lot of concerns about what’s going to happen down there as a result of childbirth. Today, I want to answer one of those questions in-depth: Is a C-section better for pelvic floor health?  Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Birt ..read more

Your body may have changed a lot during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Especially in a world that glorifies “bouncing back” after birth, you might be feeling the pressure to go back to your pre-baby body.  That means a “mom pooch” caused by diastasis recti or a C section shelf can create major insecurity. But even if you’re not concerned about how your body looks, it’s still a good idea to pay attention to the “C-Section pooch”. That’s because there’s a chance these physical changes might be affecting your bladder, bowel, and sexual health.  What’s a C section shelf?  A ..read more

Chronic pain is a pain. Especially in your back. Can’t sit for too long. Can’t stand for too long. Bending, shifting, lifting; it all hurts. Adenomyosis, a reproductive health condition, can cause some chronic lower back pain. What is Adenomyosis? Adenomyosis is when tissue like the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. This can cause your uterus to thicken and enlarge, sometimes up to triple its normal size. This can cause symptoms like: Painful menstrual cramps Abnormal and/or heavy menstrual cycle Pelvic pain, including with penetrative sex Infertility Bloating or ..read more

Some beverages have quite a lot of vitamin P(ee). Alcohol certainly seems to be one of them. Is it all the water you’re drinking to prevent the next morning’s hangover? Or does alcohol actually make you pee more? If you’ve ever experienced “breaking the seal” during a multi-drink adventure, you know exactly what I’m talking about. You head to the bathroom for a quick #1, and then it’s game-over: Every few minutes you have to excuse yourself again. Let’s discuss alcohol, pelvic floor dysfunction, and what you can do about it! Q: Does alcohol make you pee more?  A: Yes, you can expect extra ..read more

You’re reaching The Big O when suddenly…  … it feels like you’ve wet the bed.  But did you? Did you actually just… pee? During sex?! If you did, no shame. In fact, this experience is common enough there’s actually a word for it!  Let’s explore peeing during sex, what that means about your pelvic floor, and a whole bunch of ways to address it. First: Was I peeing during sex? Or was it something else? If you release fluid during sex, it could be pee. But you might’ve actually ejaculated or “squirted” instead (or both!). Female ejaculation involves leaking a small amount of milky ..read more

If you’re a coffee drinker, you may have a love-hate relationship with the stuff. On the one hand, it can offer a delicious, caffeine-induced productivity boost. On the other hand, it can cause frequent trips to the bathroom. Let’s discuss how caffeine and pelvic floor dysfunction are linked, and what you can do to manage it. Why Does Coffee Make Me Pee?  There are a couple reasons you might be increasing bathroom trips after your morning Joe. The first explanation is that caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics are chemicals that increase the production of urine. They signal your pituitary gla ..read more