# Women's Health Pathway This file contains structured content from Women's Health Pathway for language model processing. Generated on: 2025-10-04T05:49:57.358Z Total pages: 58 --- ## amanda-curry URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/amanda-curry/ Metadata: - name: Amanda Curry - authorSlug: amanda-curry - role: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Oncology Specialist, Breathwork facilitator - businessName: The Somatic DPT - email: currygirl24@gmail.com - phone: - url: https://linktr.ee/thesomaticdpt - socials: [object Object] - country: USA - metaTitle: Amanda Curry | Telehealth Provider | Breathwork facilitator - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: amanda-curry.jpg - tags: healing - draft: false Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Oncology Specialist, Trauma Informed, Training Camp for the Soul™ Master Facilitator, Level 1 David Elliot Breathwork Facilitator Amanda has a fierce commitment to supporting those who struggle with feeling they are “too much” and are tired of living in shame and denial of their true essence. She walked the path of the rigid minded overachiever for the better part of two decades and had all the degrees and awards to show for it. She was shining on the outside while slowly rotting within. The statement, “There has to be more.” pivoted her focus from self-help books and cognitive behaviour therapy to somatic healing. There, she found the root of what had kept her stuck, overwhelmed, and lacking contentment ……SHAME. Now with that root unearthed, she has been able to extend love, grace, and presence to herself and others in a way she never knew possible. Her connection to her husband of 17 years and two children has felt more solid and intimate. Even the care and attention delivered to her pediatric cancer patients and their families has been impacted. As she has transitioned out of full-time physical therapy work, she now has opened herself up to hold space for women and especially moms to unearth their own deep limiting beliefs that are keeping us stuck, disconnected, and overwhelmed. Through this space holding, these individuals have been given space to feel more, accept all parts of themselves, and step into their full authentic self. --- ## anna-scammell URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/anna-scammell/ Metadata: - name: Anna Scammell - authorSlug: anna-scammell - role: Women's Health Physiotherapist - businessName: The Whole Mother - email: anna@thewholemother.com - phone: - url: https://www.thewholemother.com - socials: [object Object] - country: Australia - metaTitle: Anna Scammell | Telehealth Provider | Women's Health Physiotherapist - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: anna-scammell.jpg - tags: continence,pelvic-health,childbirth - draft: false Anna Scammell is a Masters-trained Women's Health Physiotherapist in Sydney, Founder of The Whole Mother and mum to a beautiful little girl. Anna specialises in pregnancy, postpartum & the pelvic floor, offering home visits, clinic consults and Telehealth. She is also the Founder of Academy and [The Postpartum Academy](https: programs teaching women how to have a healthier pregnancy, informed birth and an empowered, stronger recovery. --- ## anne-jordan URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/anne-jordan/ Metadata: - name: Anne Jordan - authorSlug: anne-jordan - role: Menopause Practitioner and Coach - businessName: Kaha Mna - email: anne@kahamna.nz - phone: 021 024 41194 - url: https://www.kahamna.nz - socials: [object Object] - country: New Zealand - metaTitle: Anne Jordan | Telehealth Provider | Menopause Practitioner and Coach - metaDescription: I am dedicated to helping women navigate the challenges of all things menopause including both Peri and Post Menopause - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: anne-jordan.jpg - tags: pelvic-health,continence - draft: false Welcome to Kaha Mna, my name is Anne Jordan, and I am your trusted Menopause Specialist and Coach in New Zealand. I am dedicated to helping women navigate the challenges of all things menopause including both Peri and Post Menopause, with confidence so they don’t just survive, they thrive from it. I empower women, guiding and encouraging them to take control of their own health and wellbeing. Are you ready to take control of your symptoms? Let’s talk! --- ## arvinder-virdi URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/arvinder-virdi/ Metadata: - name: Arvinder Virdi - authorSlug: arvinder-virdi - role: RTT Hypnotherapist and Founder of Healing Minds Therapy - businessName: Healing Minds Therapy - email: arvinder@healingmindstherapy.com.au - phone: - url: https://www.healingmindstherapy.com.au - socials: [object Object] - country: Australia - metaTitle: Arvinder Virdi | Telehealth Provider | RTT Hypnotherapist and Founder of Healing Minds Therapy - metaDescription: Arvinder is passionate about helping women navigate the complexities of mental, emotional, and cultural wellbeing. - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: arvinder-virdi.jpg - tags: hypnotherapy,healing - draft: false Arvinder is passionate about helping women navigate the complexities of mental, emotional, and cultural wellbeing. As the founder of Healing Minds Therapy, she offers a safe, stigma-free space for women to heal from the weight of depression, anxiety, trauma, and the quiet struggles of self-worth. Through Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), a powerful method that combines hypnotherapy, neuroscience, and psychotherapy, Arvinder supports women in uncovering and rewiring the subconscious beliefs that quietly shape their lives. So often, these beliefs are formed in childhood — influenced by cultural differences, parental expectations, or critical voices that leave lasting imprints on how women see themselves. Over time, these patterns distort not only how we think but how we feel, act, and even relate to others. Arvinder's work helps women gently release these old narratives and create new, empowering ones. The transformation touches every part of life: building self- confidence, reclaiming self-worth, strengthening self-belief, and cultivating the ability to finally feel good enough — just as you are. Neuroscience pioneers have shown that our subconscious mind and the beliefs we carry shape not only our emotional well-being but also our physical health. When we shift the inner programs that keep us stuck, we unlock the brain’s extraordinary ability to heal, adapt, and rewire. Arvinder's approach is warm, deeply empathetic, and culturally sensitive. She understands that trauma doesn’t have to be “big” to have a big impact — and that healing is possible for every woman. Each session is an invitation to step into your power, embrace your wholeness, and create a life grounded in clarity, self- compassion, and possibility. --- ## At Your Cervix URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/at-your-cervix/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Grainne Donnelly - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/at-your-cervix.jpg - infoLink: https://absolute.physio/podcasts/ - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/4DgaWNgwGm8o7aHMhDYM9M - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/at-your-cervix/id1530617581 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: At Your Cervix – The Podcast is a biannual series of weekly podcasts where co-hosts Grainne Donnelly and Emma Brockwell aim to lift the lid on all things pelvic health. Listen on your favourite podcast channel. --- ## Biggest Secret in Women's Health URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/the-biggest-secret-in-womens-health/ Metadata: - subtitle: Stigma, Indifference, Outrage, and Optimism - author: Sherrie Palm - publishDate: Sat Oct 04 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/the-biggest-secret-in-womens-health.jpg - infoLink: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B003GFS3UU - purchaseLink: https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Secret-Womens-Health-Indifference-ebook/dp/B0CM4Z4J2W/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=eZOuZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.a7785aa2-ac28-4769-b3eb-cff7b9738627&pf_rd_p=a7785aa2-ac28-4769-b3eb-cff7b9738627&pf_rd_r=140-6939266-6892363&pd_rd_wg=fN1FF&pd_rd_r=f063913e-35fc-4fe5-a1ac-7bd41f0accc4&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Women suffer in silence with below-the-waist symptoms they find too embarrassing to share with doctors, intimate partners, family, or friends, such as vaginal tissue bulge, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, chronic constipation, or pain with intimacy. Pelvic organ prolapse is The Biggest Secret in Women’s Health. Award-winning author, patient advocate, vaginal and intimate health activist, Sherrie Palm addresses the most significant underacknowledged, underscreened, and underdiagnosed pandemic in women’s health, frequently research estimated to impact 50% of women worldwide. Palm shares her personal POP experience, illuminates patient quality of life perceptions, and clarifies practitioner perspectives, paving the path to the next notable evolution of women’s health awareness, screening, practice, and policy. Palm’s book ignites a long-overdue revolution in women’s wellness best practice. Here is what you will discover in The Biggest Secret in Women’s Health: - Explanation of five types of pelvic organ prolapse. - Symptom, cause, and treatment breakdown. - How to prep for surgery. - Clarification of mesh repair. - What to expect after surgery. - Vaginal and intimate health empowerment insights. Aids included in The Biggest Secret to guide your journey: - Tips and tools. - POP Risk Factor Questionnaire. - POP Questions to ask your doctor. - Where to find POP support. - A must-read for all women. - A valuable adjunct to diagnostic practitioner curriculum. - A beneficial patient reference tool for the practitioner’s consult desk. --- ## Bronwyn's story - My body is resilient and so am I URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/bronwyns-story-my-body-is-resilient-and-so-am-i/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Bronwyn Ford's inspiring journey with pelvic organ prolapse after birth injuries. A story of resilience, diagnosis challenges, and finding empowerment through acceptance. - publishDate: Fri Aug 01 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Bronwyn Ford - authorSlug: bronwyn-ford - featuredImage: bronwyn-ford-feature.jpg - tags: prolapse,continence,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Bronwyn's story - My body is resilient and so am I - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Bronwyn Ford’s journey with pelvic organ prolapse has been emotional. She describes frustration, sadness, anger and disbelief but on the other side - acceptance, resilience and empowerment. Research shows prolapse can run in families. Bronwyn says she wishes someone had told her that she was in a higher risk category for prolapse because of her family history, heavy lifting for work, and use of forceps and injuries during childbirth. She says her knowledge of prolapse was “virtually non-existent” before being diagnosed with it. Bronwyn’s first diagnosis of prolapse occurred during a routine check-up. At 46 years old, she went to the GP for a pap smear where the doctor told her she had a Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 2 (moderate) uterine/vaginal prolapse. “There was never any major dialogue,” Bronwyn says. Looking back, Bronwyn thinks because she was lying down for the pap smear, the full extent of her prolapse couldn’t be noticed. “Lying down, prolapses can go back into a more normal position. Standing up, being examined from below can be more accurate,” Bronwyn says. ### The diagnosis journey Over the next few years, Bronwyn saw several health professionals and learned about a number of other bladder, bowel and pelvic health issues. “That same year I had a colonoscopy for a diagnosis of another problem and was told by the specialist that I had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a rectal prolapse, a uterine prolapse and haemorrhoids. By the time I turned 48 I was perimenopausal and suffering symptoms from my prolapses,” she said. Bronwyn’s experience is common. Many women experience an onset or worsening of prolapse symptoms during perimenopause and/or after menopause. “At the age of 49, after suffering severe prolapse symptoms and a period that had lasted a month, my new GP referred me to an obstetrician gynaecologist and a urogynaecologist. After multiple tests, I was diagnosed with a Grade 3 (severe) bladder prolapse, a Grade 3 leading to a Grade 4 (very severe) uterine prolapse, and complete bilateral avulsions (pelvic floor muscles torn from the pubic bone),” she said. The first time I can recall that I ever heard about prolapse was from my mum,” Bronwyn says. “She used to say to me that her doctor said she had a prolapsed “pee-hole”, in her words. After she passed away, I was going through her medical records and saw they mentioned prolapse. Unfortunately, I never got to discuss any of this in detail with her as she had passed away before my own symptoms became quite bothersome." This extremely serious set of diagnoses were somewhat unexpected for Bronwyn. Her torn pelvic floor muscles would have occurred as a result of childbirth but weren’t detected until more than 17 years later. She recalls her experience after childbirth as “suffering silently”. “There was so much going on, I didn’t attribute it to prolapse. I didn’t know who to talk to about it. I didn’t know I should be talking about it,” she says. Bronwyn is passionate about ensuring other women don’t feel as alone or unaware as she did. She dedicates much of her spare time to raising awareness of prolapse and supporting others through Facebook groups for women with prolapse. Bronwyn also recently shared her experience as a guest on SBS Insight’s episode on birth trauma, [‘Giving birth better’ (Episode 6, 20 April 2021)](https: In 2012 after receiving her diagnosis, Bronwyn’s symptoms were getting worse. “My prolapses greatly affected every aspect of my life and the quality of my life. First thing in the morning I would feel quite good, however as the day progressed the symptoms would worsen and by the afternoon and evening all I would want to do was lie down to ease the pressure and discomfort. Unfortunately, gravity, being on my feet all day and heavy lifting for work, and everything that comes with looking after a household, worsened the symptoms.” Thankfully, she would soon experience relief. Bronwyn underwent major repair surgery and a hysterectomy which were successful in treating some of the symptoms. Unfortunately, the pelvic floor muscle avulsions couldn’t be repaired. “The surgery greatly reduced the symptoms I had been suffering, including a heavy dragging sensation, a visible bulge at my vaginal opening, difficulties with urination and bowel movements and lower back pain. It’s now been nine years since my surgery, which greatly reduced my symptoms; however, it could not repair all the damage.” Today, Bronwyn manages her mild bladder prolapse and mild rectocele (rectum bulging into the back vaginal wall) symptoms with extra bladder and bowel care and a diet to avoid constipation. Over the years, she has also sought the guidance and support of physiotherapists who specialise in women’s health, particularly pelvic floor health. Together they worked on increasing her pelvic floor muscle strength and managing her symptoms. Bronwyn credits the work of these practitioners, who educated her further about prolapse, and recommends this as an integral part of symptom management and improvement. ### Bronwyn's feelings on the past and future “During my journey with pelvic organ prolapse I have experienced a variety of emotions: good and bad, “says Bronwyn. I have felt frustration, sadness, anger and disbelief as well as acceptance, resilience and empowerment. I have accepted that this has happened to my body. I can’t go back and change what occurred, but I can change my thoughts and feelings about it and how I deal with it. My body is resilient and so am I. Even though I suffered injuries during birthing, my body was able to compensate for this for many years and enabled me to continue functioning in day-to-day life. This resilience has also helped me cope emotionally with other health issues I have dealt with in recent years including non-invasive breast cancer and treatment and acute onset rheumatoid arthritis. I am empowered. I have educated myself about prolapse and all its aspects to enable me to understand why and how I developed it. I know I can still live a full and active life whilst living with the day-to-day symptoms and hurdles that it throws at me. I would like everyone to know that prolapse affects many women, from mid-teens through to end of life. Giving birth and menopause are two of the main risk factors for development of prolapse, however there are other risk factors as well. Even women who have not had children can develop prolapse. It can also vary significantly from person to person, ranging from mild through to severe, with symptoms not always an indication of the severity of the prolapse. Bronwyn says, "I am excited and looking forward to a future where awareness of pelvic organ prolapse is widespread. My hope is that three main things can be achieved in the future: - Information and support are readily available and easy to access - treatment options are varied and effective over the long term, and - individual care is a focus, where each person is looked at on an individual basis and is offered treatment options to suit their needs and circumstances.” ### Get support Phone the free National Continence Helpline 1800 33 00 66 to speak to a nurse continence specialist about bladder and bowel health (Australia). First published in the Bridge Magazine ([Continence Foundation Australia](https: --- ## colleen-lind URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/colleen-lind/ Metadata: - name: Dr. Colleen Lind - authorSlug: colleen-lind - role: Certified pelvic health physical therapist - businessName: The Vagina Whisperer - email: - phone: - url: - socials: [object Object] - country: USA - metaTitle: Dr. Colleen Lind | Telehealth Provider | Certified pelvic health physical therapist - metaDescription: Dr. Colleen Lind (She/Her/Hers) specialises in pelvic health and related orthopedic conditions as a certified pelvic health physical therapist - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: colleen-lind.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false Coming soon --- ## Enterocele, Rectocele, or Both? URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/enterocele-rectocele-or-both/ Description: Little talked about, often overlooked; enterocele is like the distant cousin who is a bit misunderstood compared to common cystocele and rectocele. Metadata: - intro: Little talked about, often overlooked; enterocele is like the distant cousin who is a bit misunderstood compared to common cystocele and rectocele. - metaDescription: Understanding enterocele vs rectocele: expert guide to prolapse types, symptoms, and diagnosis. Learn about these often misunderstood pelvic conditions. - publishDate: Thu Aug 14 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Sherrie Palm - authorSlug: sherrie-palm - featuredImage: sherrie-palm-feature.jpg - tags: prolapse,continence,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Enterocele, rectocele, or both? - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Little talked about, often overlooked; enterocele is like the distant cousin who is a bit misunderstood compared to common cystocele and rectocele. Articles about pelvic organ prolapse can be vague when it comes to enterocele; this POP is sometimes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed when other types of POP are recognized (that was my scenario; a large enterocele was discovered during surgery). Let’s shine a bit of light on the difference between rectocele, intussusception, rectal prolapse, and enterocele. A rectocele is a bulge in the anterior (front) or posterior (rear) rectal wall. During a bowel movement when a rectocele is present, stool typically remains trapped in the bulge. The most significant symptom of a rectocele is chronic constipation or incomplete bowel movements despite fingers inserted into the vagina to assist evacuation, or bridging to assist bowel movement (two fingers shaped like a V pushing up against the labia and/or perineum during defecation). Bowels may still feel full after a movement. Intercourse may be uncomfortable or painful because of pressure of full bowel. Women who’ve been diagnosed with rectocele will gladly share the difficulties they have navigating constipation-it haunts them daily. Intussusception is the rectum pushing back inside itself (partially inside out), similar to a rubber glove finger pushed into itself when you pull them off. It may appear as finger-like protrusions that branch off of the rectum. Stool becomes trapped in these pockets. An intussusception can be intra-rectal (inside along the rectum), intra-anal (inside along the anus), or extra anal (outside the anus). With the straining that accompanies constipation, these folds sometimes progress and deepen and or reach downward through the anal canal to form rectal prolapse. Common symptoms are chronic constipation, incomplete emptying, pain with bowel movement, blood loss upon defecation, incontinence of gas or feces, or mucus discharge. Upon hard straining, obstructive sensation may increase. Enemas may be ineffective. Rectal prolapse occurs when rectal walls have prolapsed to the degree they protrude through the anus and are visible outside the anal canal. Patients' with rectal prolapse may experience faecal incontinence. Rectal prolapse sensation may seem similar to an obstacle preventing defecation. Enterocele occurs when the intestines (small bowel) protrude through a fascial defect or weak tissues, typically at the apex (top) of the vagina. Women who’ve experienced birth trauma or had prolonged deliveries or forceps deliveries may have a higher risk of enterocele. Patients with previous pelvic surgery may have a predisposition to an enterocele as well; particularly a hysterectomy. An enterocele can develop in the posterior wall (back side by rectum) or anterior wall (front side by uterus), basically wherever the small bowel (intestines) fall through defects in the vaginal wall. The size and “degree of drop” of enteroceles may vary considerably, from halfway down the vaginal length, all the way down to the perineum (tissues surrounding the urogenital and anal openings), or even protrude out of the anal canal to form rectal prolapse. An enterocele may be distinguished during pelvic examination as a bulge that occurs during the valsalva maneuver (deep held breath while bearing down). It may also be necessary for a physician to request you perform the valsalva maneuver while you are standing with one foot on a stool. Symptoms of an enterocele may be sensation of a mass bulging into the vagina or pushing against the perineum or pain with intercourse. They may also include a pulling sensation in the pelvis or low back pain that eases up when you lie down, vaginal discharge, or a feeling of pelvic fullness, pain, or pressure. There may be a rapid return of bowel movement urge shortly after evacuating bowels (gotta go, gotta go again). ### There are 4 types of enterocele: - Pulsion: Caused by continual pressure in abdomen from chronic cough or extreme physical exertion like repetitive heavy lifting - Traction: Caused by pregnancy, childbirth and estrogen loss which contribute to weakening and stretching of pelvic tissues. Additionally other prolapsed organs may put pressure on tissues contributing to enterocele - Latorgenic: Cause is not fully known but assumed to be related to hysterectomy or some cystocele repair procedures - Congenital: Birth defect. An additional and more definitive diagnostic tool utilized for enterocele is called DRE or defecography (also called proctography). During this test, the act of defecation is assessed by recording expulsion of barium paste that is the consistency of feces. This test can evaluate pelvic floor and rectal function, how well the rectal sphincter works, and the effectiveness of rectal evacuation. Barium is both swallowed (to highlight the intestines) and injected as a paste into the rectum. The patient is sitting on a test commode to mimic normal body language which enables screening of the function of both rectum and pelvic muscle tissue during the procedure. This test facilitates diagnosis of rectocele, enterocele, intussusception, and function of the anal sphincter. On a more personal note (how much more personal can it get than discussing our bowel concerns, something we ladies do in the [APOPS forum](https: individual quest for answers), I’d like to share a few insights. I pay particularly close attention to my body, the signs, symptoms, flags. When something occurs that is the slightest bit left of normal in my pelvic cavity, the wheels are clicking away in my brain, trying to assess whether it is something I need to be concerned about, or share with women navigating POP. My backdrop was transvaginal mesh repair of grade 3 cysto/rectocele; large enterocele discovered during surgery and repaired without mesh. Years ago when I noticed a subtle but palpable loss of sensation front to back as well as a feeling of fullness, I thought to myself, hmmmm, what’s going on in there? Could it be my enterocele is back? Could it be as simple as bloated days related to IBS coupled with scar tissue or adhesions? We all need to recognize that as time keeps ticking away and we move forward with our lives, we must continually monitor change to enjoy continuing quality of life. No one gets a “free health pass” post surgery; we need to remain pro-active. I do my best to utilize self-awareness along with fitness techniques to address continual shifts in my body. I recognize a distinct difference in how my bowel acts when I eat a healthy low sugar diet with lots of produce, and how it acts when I shove 6 pieces of Dove dark chocolate in my face in one sitting or knock back a few gin cocktails - I’m only human! Every time women with rectal POP issues have a bowel movement, I encourage them to try the following steps to make bowel movements a bit more user-friendly. Lock the bathroom door and "go deaf" to activities and voices outside that door, to assure no one and nothing can disturb you - it will make it easier to relax. And “V-brace” the labia with your first two fingers, pushing against the labia gently, creating some structural support for the pelvic floor, prior to bearing down to have a bowel movement. --- ## Floored URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/floored/ Metadata: - subtitle: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage - author: Dr. Sara Reardon - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause,pelvic-health - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/floored.jpg - infoLink: https://thevagwhisperer.com/floored/ - purchaseLink: https://thevagwhisperer.com/floored/ - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Dr. Sara Reardon is a board-certified pelvic health physical therapist, educator, and fierce advocate for destigmatizing intimate health. Known globally as The Vagina Whisperer, she founded The Vagina Whisperer platform to offer accessible, evidence-informed pelvic floor education and virtual workouts for women at every life stage. With over 15 years of clinical experience, Sara specialises in postpartum recovery, incontinence, painful sex, prolapse, and menopause. Her work blends clinical precision with warmth and humour, making pelvic health approachable and empowering. She’s a trusted voice across social media, podcasts, and public health campaigns. Floored is an empowering guide offering clear, compassionate support for women navigating pelvic floor challenges across every life stage. From postpartum recovery and painful sex to prolapse, incontinence, and menopause, Floored blends clinical expertise with emotional safety and zero shame. --- ## From 39 to now URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/from-39-to-now/ Description: After experiencing a sudden wave of brain fog so intense she couldn’t remember her own name, Kirsty began a journey of rediscovery that transformed her life. Metadata: - intro: After experiencing a sudden wave of brain fog so intense she couldn’t remember her own name, Kirsty began a journey of rediscovery that transformed her life. - metaDescription: Kirsty Dixon's honest perimenopause journey from brain fog confusion to empowered self-discovery. A transformative menopause story of hope and resilience. - publishDate: Mon Aug 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Kirsty Dixon - authorSlug: kirsty-dixon - featuredImage: kirsty-dixon-feature.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: From 39 to now - headingDescription: After experiencing a sudden wave of brain fog so intense she couldn’t remember her own name, Kirsty began a journey of rediscovery that transformed her life. I describe myself as a postmenopausal woman since 17 March 2023, following an 11-year perimenopause rollercoaster. My story is not unusual, but it’s one I share to help others navigate this stage with awareness and empowerment. At 44, I was diagnosed as perimenopausal. My symptoms were so mild I didn’t think much of it—mistake number one. Like many, I believed the outdated school narrative: menopause happens in your 50’s, brings a few hot flushes, mood swings, and weight gain, and that’s it. Oh, how wrong I was! ### The first warning signs I ignored At the age of 39 (now 57), my Personal Trainer first mentioned the word menopause to me as I had love handles appearing which would not shift. Now at this point, I was super fit with more fat on a chip. He told me that it was natural because of the way our bodies store fat with menopause (the peri word had not arrived then) and I was getting to ‘that age’. Did I believe him? No!! Bloody cheek. “What does he know?" I thought. So I did nothing and carried on slogging away to get rid of those handles. Once I hit 40, I started to notice that despite doing more exercise in a week than ever, I really struggled to maintain the same level of fitness. I accepted I wasn’t 26 anymore (when I started being a regular gym goer) and was pleased that I was still fit and healthy. ### My first GP visit and official diagnosis At 44, I went to see the GP (male GP may I add). About what I can’t remember. I think it was because I was getting moments of blankness, like a camera shutter. I was told it was menopause (still no peri word) and offered antidepressants. “Give over”, I thought and turned them down as I wasn’t depressed. Whatever it was, it wasn't that bad. Five years passed with the only real change being that I pulled a muscle just looking at a dumbbell and the joints definitely ached a bit more. Was menopause in my thoughts? Not one little bit. ### The day everything changed Then. At 49. BANG. What felt like overnight: - The anxiety - The stress - The brain fog - The memory problems - The heart palpitations - The dizziness - The emotions, mostly tears - The complete loss of confidence in my ability to do anything - The disorganisation - The trouble making the simplest decision Etc. Aaaaagh. "What the fu!k is happening to me" I thought. Apologies for the swear word but I am being honest. ### My mental health crisis I spoke about it, but no one mentioned menopause. Other conditions yes, but not menopause. After two months of the symptoms getting gradually worse, I crashed and burned. I was stressed and anxious about the most stupid little things but didn’t know why. I had told myself I could not do my job anymore and was useless. In floods of tears, I spoke with my line manager and was sent home. Off sick from work for 18 days. ### HRT and continued struggle The GP did blood tests which showed it was hormonal and again the word menopause (still no peri word) was used. I was put on HRT which for me, was never a wonder drug. It helped, but in the four years I took it, it only dampened my symptoms at best. Now wouldn’t you think that at that point I would look into what this ‘menopause’ thing was all about? Nah. The GP must be wrong. My mum had sailed through it (or so I thought) and I spent the next four years fighting it with every ounce of energy I did not have. I cried. I lost myself. In my head I was useless and so, so down in the dumps. Still I didn’t know why. The brain fog and memory problems were just so debilitating. My husband said to me one day while I was in floods of tears, not knowing why. “I want my old Kirsty back”. So did I!! I felt lonely inside. I thought it was only me. I thought I was totally losing the plot. Sound familiar? May I add that my husband, big shout out to John, has been the most wonderful support to me all the way through my journey and still is. The temper, the tears, the snappiness, the forgetfulness, the brain shutters coming down, the words that I think I have said that change by the time they reach his ears, and so on. I cannot express how important having a support network is but that’s another Blog. ### Fighting for answers So, fighting away, I went back to the GP quite often! Again I was told it was menopause. I remember the day I went back, the last time before my ‘lightbulb’ moment, and told her I was not leaving the room until she had referred me for a brain scan AND, I would pay privately with no idea where the money would come from! I said to her “This cannot JUST be menopause”. JUST. I giggle now that I said that word. There is no JUST about menopause, regardless of what stage you are at. Anyway, she humoured me and referred me to the Mental Health team, ‘as that was the first course of action’. I got my appointment and went along. Hoping that at last, I would find out how early onset my dementia was or how large the tumour that must be in my brain. I took all the tests and guess what? I passed with flying colours. Now did I then say, ‘ok, perhaps there is something in what the GP has been telling me, so go and read up on this thing called menopause’. NOOOOOO. I said to them “But this is today. I bet if I came back tomorrow, the results would be totally different”. Again, I think I was humoured, and the lovely lady went away to ask her colleagues if anything else could be offered. I was settling for nothing less than a brain scan!! ### The final HRT chapter My next ‘thing’ was the mammoth three-month long bleed which would not stop. It went on and on. Despite trying different HRT’s, including one which apparently should have stopped me bleeding, the flow continued. Eventually the only solution was to come off HRT and see what happened. Within three weeks, the bleeding finally stopped. That was my last time taking HRT. I take a number of medications for COPD/Asthma and acid reflux (which started during perimenopause. The gift that keeps on giving), and had never been happy taking HRT as ‘another medication’ so I chose to self-manage. To be honest, I didn’t really notice any difference other than hot flushes and night sweats became a thing for me. I still felt down, anxious etc and I still blamed the brain rather than menopause. ### Career change during menopause By this time and in full swing of my menopause fight, I decided to change career. At the age of 51, I applied for an apprenticeship to be a Learning and Development Practitioner. I smashed the interview and got the job, woohoo, and I took on this complete other change in life. In a classroom with the other apprentices who were all 30+ years younger than me, with their fabulously functioning brain, I felt a bit out of place. How on earth could my brain learn all this new information? Saying to my husband “Why have I done this to myself when I am so emotionally unstable, and with no answer as to what is wrong”. Roll on to Covid and I ended up ‘off sick’ with depression following an 18 month awful time with a very poorly dad, who we lost in January 2020. Grief on top of my menopause struggles were just too much. I went off sick just before Covid hit and this time I very reluctantly accepted the antidepressants for my depression (this is relevant in a later part of the story. Probably a different Blog). ### My lightbulb moment So here comes the really good bit! One day, sitting in the garden in the sun, hearing nothing but birds and the quietness that was Covid, I opened an article on menopause on my phone. I thought to myself, “What is all the fuss about menopause”! It had started to hit the tabloids and magazines. BOOOM! At last, I read something which I could relate to. “Hmmmm” I said to myself “Perhaps there is something in this menopause malarkey”. So I read more and I read more. “WOOOOOOOOOW. It is menopause AND it is all perfectly normal. Yippee. It is not just me. I am not alone and I am most certainly not going mad.” I NEED TO EDUCATE MYSELF AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY BODY. How could I help myself and even be proactive? ### Transformation The almost instant relief was amazing. I realised I needed to own my journey. Had menopause robbed me of me? Yes. But only because I let it. I realised I didn’t know what my values and beliefs were anymore. What was my purpose in life? Who was I and who did I want to be? Once I embraced it I went on the most WONDERFUL year of rediscovery. It was so enlightening and uplifting. I found ‘me’ again and do you know what? I really love this ‘me’. Am I different to the pre-menopause Kirsty. No. I am still here but I am a bit tweaked and I looooooove those tweaks. I can honestly, hand on heart say, that if I could live my life again without menopause, I would say no. It has helped to shape me into the beautiful butterfly I am today. Flying awake into an awesome, period free future. I am going to leave it here as for a Blog. I am told this is a bit long! I will write others on more specific topics but wanted to get the nuts and bolts down. If you made it to the end. Thank you for reading this far and just remember, if you are struggling at all, you are bloody awesome and you are not alone. Not while I live and breathe anyway. ;-D --- ## georgia-hartmann URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/georgia-hartmann/ Metadata: - name: Georgia Hartmann - authorSlug: georgia-hartmann - role: Naturopath - businessName: Hormone Health Studio - email: hello@hormonehealthstudio.com - phone: - url: https://hormonehealthstudio.com - socials: [object Object] - country: Australia - metaTitle: Georgia Hartmann | Telehealth Provider | Naturopath - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: georgia-hartmann.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false Georgia is a university qualified Naturopath, professional member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, accredited member of MTHFR Support Methylation & Genomics Institute, Honorary Adjunct Lecturer at Newcastle University, co-host of Hormone Health Podcast, and founder of Hormone Health Studio. Hormone Health Studio was founded by Georgia Hartmann. After being diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) in her early 20s, she became a Naturopath to better understand her body and hormones. Through years of study, functional testing, and a holistic approach, she went on to naturally conceive three children - despite being told it may not be possible. Her experience is at the heart of everything we do. Hormone Health Studio exists to support women through every stage of hormonal health - with compassion, clarity, and evidence- based care that works. We are your go-to naturopaths for all things hormones. Endometriosis, PCOS, PMS/PMDD, gut issues, skin conditions like eczema & acne, perimenopause/menopause, sleep, stress & anxiety, thyroid dysfunction, period problems, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF support, preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, fatigue, mood & energy problems, weight & everything in between. We are largely focused on women's health but we also help men and children too. ### Types of appointments offered We offer online only initial and couple's initial fertility consultations. We then offer online follow up and couple's follow up fertility consultations. Hoping to have another in person clinic again soon but currently just digital. We also have online self paced programs too like our [Feel Good program](https: --- ## Hormone Health Studio URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/hormone-health-studio/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Georgia Hartmann and Chloe Sheehan - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/hormone-health.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/1R7s1XLSnWMp6fjkkqVFnK - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hormone-health-podcast/id1694631245 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Hormone Health Podcast is a vibrant, evidence-based series hosted by naturopaths Georgia Hartmann and Chloe Sheehan, founders of the Newcastle-based Hormone Health Studio. It’s designed to demystify hormonal health and empower listeners with practical, holistic insights. Topics include: - Perimenopause, fertility, and menstrual health - Gut-brain-hormone connections - Birth preparation and physiological pain - Mental health, fatigue, and functional medicine --- ## How does strength training impact your pelvic floor? URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/how-does-strength-training-impact-your-pelvic-floor/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Expert advice on how strength training affects your pelvic floor. Learn about dysfunction signs, proper lifting techniques, and evidence-based rehabilitation strategies. - publishDate: Thu Aug 14 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Dr Gráinne Donnelly - authorSlug: grainne-donnelly - featuredImage: grainne-donnelly-feature.jpg - tags: prolapse,continence,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: How does strength training impact your pelvic floor? - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: If you are a female engaging in any form of strength training from high intensity interval training to hyrox or power lifting, you may have heard conflicting messages about what this could mean for your pelvic floor. There is a plethora of misinformation and pseudoscientific messages online and in social media platforms. This can make it difficult to understand what the right thing is to do or not do. This article will break down the current scientific and clinical understanding of strength training and the pelvic floor. First, we will discuss what the pelvic floor is and what it does. The we will look at signs of a dysfunctional pelvic floor and what to do about it. Lastly, we will specifically focus on strength training and what it means for the pelvic floor. ### What is the Pelvic Floor? First and foremost, the female pelvic floor is an incredibly important muscle group. It represents a group of muscle spanning the base of the pelvic outlet in layers with its attachments suspended around the bony perimeter of the pelvis and not one, not two but three intersections compromising it in the form of the urethral, vaginal and rectal openings. It serves to support the pelvic organs, facilitate bladder and bowel control and emptying, and facilitate reproduction. I like to think of the pelvic floor as a trampoline, a structure that needs to be flexible enough to accept and absorb load with enough integrity and strength to give back and respond. Therefore, if the pelvic floor “trampoline” is too stiff, too lax or compromised in its attachments around the perimeter, it may not function as intended. ### What are the signs and symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction? If the pelvic floor is not functioning as intended, any and all of the roles it is involved in can be compromised (Donnelly and Moore 2022). These include: - Urinary frequency, urgency and or incontinence - Bowel frequency, urgency or incontinence - Difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel fully - Straining to empty the bowel - Heaviness, pressure or dragging in the vaginal area - Pain anywhere in the saddle region or “inside” - Recurrent urinary tract infections - Pain with intercourse - Inability to tolerate intravaginal products e.g., tampons, menstrual cups, smear tests The presence of one or more of these signs and symptoms need not scare you – across the female lifespan they are actually very common. At least 1 in 3 women will leak from the bladder (Lawrence et al, 2008; Sims et al, 2022) and 1 in 2 women will experience pelvic organ descent (with varying degrees of awareness and symptoms) (Donnelly and Moore 2022). However, they are not to be accepted or suffered either. Like any sports related niggle or injury, we address the presenting symptoms and rehabilitate the driving area. Did you know that there is a dedicated specialist physiotherapy profession who solely deal with pelvic floor dysfunction. That’s right – that is how many people need pelvic floor rehabilitation. ### Why might strength training influence symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction? Firstly, strength training is not harmful or risky. It is a fundamental component of staying strong and protecting muscle mass and bone density throughout the lifespan. This includes the beneficial effect that strength training will have on building pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance as it trains to meet the demands of the load placed upon it. However, like any area in the body, the level of resistance that we can tolerate depends on the load capacity of the tissues (Gabbett, 2023). This means that while you may be ready to lift a certain barbell weight or kettlebell in terms of your lower limb, upper limb or trunk strength, you may not have the necessary load tolerance in the pelvic floor. This will ultimately lead to exposing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction on a lift/exertion. Just like you strengthen the other muscle groups around the body so that you can progress your deadlifts or bench press or any other strength training exercise, you need to engage in targeted strengthening for the pelvic floor too. For some women, it isn’t so much that their pelvic floor is weak or lacking structural integrity - it could be more to do with the strategy they employ during resistance training. For example, some women breath hold and brace their abdominal wall and trunk in order to lift heavy. This bracing and breath hold places additional load and abdominal pressure down onto the pelvic floor (Prevett and Moore 2024). This may be enough to tip the balance from being able to tolerate the load to not being able to tolerate it with signs of load intolerance represented in symptoms such as pain, leaking urine or a heaviness or bulge sensation in the vaginal region. Altering strategies to try to “blow as you go” (breath out of the effort of the strength exercise) or brace the abdominal muscles less intensely may be enough to reduce or alleviate symptoms. Check out this podcast for more information on [resistance training and the pelvic floor](https: ### What should I do if I have signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction? You can speak with you GP or primary care physician to ask for a referral to your local pelvic health specialist or if you prefer to access healthcare privately there will be a local private pelvic health physiotherapist in your region. Generally speaking, most people benefit from engaging in pelvic floor muscle training – the difficulty is that it can be hard for everyone to know how to do them. If you are unsure they best option is to get assessed and access guidance from a specialist physiotherapist – however typical cues to locate and train the pelvic floor include: - Imagine you are stopping wind escaping from the back passage - Imagine stopping the flow of urine mid-flow - Imagine closing a zip from back passage to front passage - Close the vagina No one cue suits everybody therefore consider the cues above and whether you feel a tightening and lifting in the pelvic floor region. It isn’t clenching your glute muscles or squeezing your legs together, it is specifically the muscles in and around the saddle region. Aim to do 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions of close to maximum contractions (Donnelly and Moore 2022). For women who wish to continue strength training while they seek help and rehabilitate their pelvic floor, or after they have reached their rehabilitation potential, several adjunctive products can help with pelvic floor function and support (Giagio and Donnelly 2025). These include compression shorts – which direct compression up towards the pelvic floor. I am researching these in my PhD and they are showing significance in mechanical support, symptom reduction and user perception. Other adjuncts include pessaries (which support the pelvic organs), urethral support devices (support the urethra/bladder) and vaginal weights which can help you progress pelvic floor muscle strengthening. ### References Donnelly GM, Moore IS. [Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor](https: Gabbett T. [Load Management: What It Is and What It Is Not!](https: Giagio S, Salvioli S, Innocenti T, et al [PFD-SENTINEL: Development of a screening tool for pelvic floor dysfunction in female athletes through an international Delphi consensus](https: Giagio, Silvia PhD1,2; Donnelly, Grainne M.3. [Persistent Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Athletes: A Commentary on Postconservative Management](https: Lawrence JM, Lukacz ES, Nager CW, Hsu JW, Luber KM. [Prevalence and co-occurrence of pelvic floor disorders in community-dwelling women](https: Prevett C. & Moore R. (2024) [Nuances of the Valsalva manoeuvre and bracing with regard to resistance training performance and its effects on the pelvic floor](https: Sims L, Hay-Smith J, Dean S. [Pelvic floor exercises and female stress urinary incontinence](https: --- ## How hypnotherapy can support women living with health challenges URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/how-hypnotherapy-can-support-women-living-with-health-challenges/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Discover how hypnotherapy supports women with health challenges like prolapse, incontinence, and menopause. Evidence-based mind-body healing approach. - publishDate: Fri Aug 29 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Justine Daly - authorSlug: justine-daly - featuredImage: justine-daly-feature.jpg - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: How hypnotherapy can support women living with health challenges - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Mindset is more than positive thinking. It’s the lens through which we experience health and illness, influencing resilience, wellbeing, and how fully we live despite a diagnosis. I once supported a dear friend whose strength continues to inspire me. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a diagnosis that changed everything for her and those who loved her. We spent many hours together talking openly about what her illness meant—the silent fears, the constant “what ifs,” and the invisible weight of worrying about her family’s future. Her physical symptoms were mirrored by emotional ones: a racing mind, sleepless nights, and the dark cloud of uncertainty about what lay ahead. She had an exceptional medical team and explored several complementary therapies, each offering its own value. Among them were her hypnotherapy sessions with me. She often told me that these sessions gave her a sense of lightness, calm, and space to breathe more deeply. Sometimes, that meant a better night’s sleep. Other times, it brought relief from the relentless anxiety and a little more energy to face the day. These were not magical cures, but they were tangible changes—small but significant moments of peace in a time of intense challenge. When we face health conditions that affect our bodies, the medical approach often focuses on the physical, on treatment options and symptom reduction through surgery and medication. Whether reproductive cancer, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, or the changes of menopause, the impact extends beyond the physical. There can be a loss of confidence, a shift in identity, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility for our loved ones’ wellbeing. Even with the best support, it can feel isolating. Hypnotherapy offers a safe, natural space to address both the physical and emotional toll of these experiences. It works alongside medical care to ease anxiety, improve coping, and restore a sense of control. Research shows that hypnotherapy can reduce symptom severity and lessen psychological distress, which in turn can lower the perception of discomfort. For women living with prolapse or incontinence, for example, releasing feelings of embarrassment and shame can help restore confidence in daily life. For those navigating menopause, hypnotherapy can reduce hot flushes, improve sleep quality, and ease mood fluctuations. The benefits extend further than symptom relief. Hypnotherapy can help you feel calmer before medical procedures, manage pain and fatigue, and release feelings of guilt about “being a burden” to loved ones. It can lift low mood, build resilience in the face of physical change, and reignite a sense of optimism. The mind and body are deeply connected; when your mind is calmer, your body has more space to heal, and when you cope better, life feels more manageable. Living with a health challenge does not have to mean losing your sense of comfort or hope. Hypnotherapy works gently and powerfully, helping you reconnect with your body’s own capacity for balance and repair. Wherever you are in your journey, whether newly diagnosed, in recovery, or living long term with your condition, it is possible to feel more at peace, more in control, and more connected to the life you want. If you are navigating a health challenge such as prolapse, incontinence, menopause, or a serious illness, know that there is support for your whole self, mind and body. You do not have to carry the weight alone. --- ## InVisible URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/invisible/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Dr Ashton Wilson - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/invisible.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PBTSEhANoW3DOcuIMKLto - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/invisible/id1807698698 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: InVisible is a bold, stigma-breaking podcast hosted by Dr Ashton Wilson, an osteopath, business owner, and passionate advocate for hypermobility and invisible illnesses. This podcast shines a light on conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked in mainstream healthcare, like hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), lipedema, autism, ADHD, and chronic pain. Ashton blends clinical insight with lived experience, creating a space for education, empathy, and advocacy. --- ## justine-daly URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/justine-daly/ Metadata: - name: Justine Daly - authorSlug: justine-daly - role: Clinical Hypnotherapist, Childbirth educator, Midwife - businessName: You Hypnotherapy / A Focused Birth - email: justine@youhypnotherapy.com - phone: - url: https://www.youhypnotherapy.com - socials: [object Object] - country: Australia - metaTitle: Justine Daly | Telehealth Provider | You Hypnotherapy - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: justine-daly.jpg - tags: hypnotherapy,childbirth - draft: false Justine Daly is a registered midwife, clinical hypnotherapist, and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. She offers telehealth consultations across a wide range of health and wellbeing concerns, with a particular passion for supporting women through significant life transitions such as conception, birth, and menopause. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Justine combines evidence-based healthcare with advanced hypnotherapy and psychotherapy techniques. Her approach draws on the science of neuroplasticity, helping clients reframe unhelpful patterns, build resilience, and create lasting change. Clinical hypnotherapy is increasingly recognised as an effective approach for managing anxiety and depression. Research also supports its benefits for chronic pain, phobias, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and trauma-related symptoms. During sessions, Justine works collaboratively with clients to clarify goals, identify strengths, and guide them into states of focused relaxation where therapeutic change can take place. Each consultation includes practical strategies to reinforce progress, ensuring clients feel supported between appointments. Many report feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control after working with her. ### Antenatal and Hypnobirthing Education Alongside her therapeutic practice, Justine provides both telehealth and in-person education for expectant families through her [A Focused Birth hypnobirthing programme](https: Her classes cover evidence-based information about birth physiology, practical comfort measures, and relaxation methods including breathing and self-hypnosis. Justine creates a supportive space for discussion, answering questions and addressing concerns so families feel informed and empowered in preparing for parenthood. --- ## kirsty-dixon URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/kirsty-dixon/ Metadata: - name: Kirsty Dixon - authorSlug: kirsty-dixon - role: Menopause advocate, Educator - businessName: Feel Good Menopause - email: info@feelgoodmenopause.co.uk - phone: - url: https://www.feelgoodmenopause.co.uk - socials: [object Object] - country: UK - metaTitle: Kirsty Dixon | Telehealth Provider | Menopause advocate, Educator - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: kirsty-dixon.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false At 51, I embarked on a new career as a Learning & Development Practitioner, specialising in menopause workshops and talks. I’ve never felt more fulfilled. It’s why I started Pause for Thought Consultancy in 2022, which has now become Feel Good Menopause: to raise awareness, share knowledge, and help others have a better journey. Starting my own business has been a leap of faith, but it’s the best decision I’ve made. --- ## kristen-parise URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/kristen-parise/ Metadata: - name: Kristen Parise - authorSlug: kristen-parise - role: Registered Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Podcast Host, Conference Creator - businessName: Blueberry Therapy - email: blueberrytherapy@gmail.com - phone: - url: https://blueberrytherapy.ca - socials: [object Object] - country: Canada - metaTitle: Kristen Parise | Telehealth Provider | Registered Pelvic Health Physiotherapist - metaDescription: Kristen Parise has dedicated over 25 years to transforming pelvic health care through evidence-based treatment and fearless conversation. - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: kristen-parise.jpg - tags: continence,pelvic-health - draft: false Kristen Parise has dedicated over 25 years to transforming pelvic health care through evidence-based treatment and fearless conversation. With graduate degrees in Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy from McMaster University, she founded Blueberry Therapy in 2017—a multidisciplinary clinic in Dundas, Ontario, that has grown from a small practice to a thriving hub serving families throughout the Golden Horseshoe. Recognized with the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Small Business, Kristen specializes in treating bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction for people of all ages. Her approach combines clinical expertise with refreshing honesty about topics many find too awkward to discuss. In 2024, Kristen launched The Hole Shebang Podcast, which has spent a full year breaking down taboos around pee, poop, pain, and sex. The podcast has reached thousands of listeners seeking real answers about pelvic health without the shame. Building on her mission to advance women's sexual health conversations, Kristen created The Pleasure Principle Conference. After its successful debut in 2025, the expanded 2026 conference returns on May 8th at McMaster Innovation Park, bringing together healthcare professionals from around the globe to tackle the topics that matter most to women's wellness. Kristen continues teaching at McMaster University and remains committed to making pelvic health care accessible through Blueberry Therapy's comprehensive services, online resources, and community education programs. [The Hole Shebang Podcast](https: --- ## Lichen Sclerosus URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/lichen-sclerosus/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Emma Norman's powerful story living with lichen sclerosus from childhood. Breaking the silence around vulvar conditions and advocating for awareness. - publishDate: Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Emma Norman - authorSlug: emma-norman - featuredImage: emma-norman-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Lichen Sclerosus - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: I want medical professionals to have training on Lichen Sclerosus and Vulva Cancer. I want leaflets in all surgeries and hospitals. I want children to be taught about Lichen Sclerosus in Sex Education lessons at school. Hi, My name is Emma Norman and I have Lichen Sclerosus. I was diagnosed at 22 years of age but my symptoms started during childhood (my first recollection was being 5 yrs old and screaming in a classroom) I stayed away from boyfriends and sexual intercourse because inside I knew something wasn't right but I was too embarrassed and ashamed to go to the Dr. I figured he would just tell me it was in my head or something similar. I decided to go see my Dr when I was 22 years old following a discussion with a boyfriend at the time. I had tried to have intercourse but was never able to have penetration due to the excruciating pain. He had a look at my Vulva and decided to send me for a smear. This was when I heard the sole shattering words from the nurse "were you abused as a child? I can't even get the smallest speculum in as your too small" I went home and broke my heart, sobbing uncontrollably. I plucked up the courage that night to get a mirror and look at my Vulva. I was bruised purple, red, white, crinkly, had lost my labia minora where it had fused to my labia majora, my clitoris was buried under skin, I was itching and burning like I was on fire. It was the most horrific sight I had ever seen. My Dr referred me to a gynaecologist at my local hospital where I met the most amazing consultant. He biopsied me and within a couple of weeks I had my diagnosis, Lichen Sclerosus. He didn't know enough about it to treat me and so I was referred to a specialist at a well-known London hospital. This is where things took a turn for the worse. The ladies treating me (one with large pointed false nails whilst doing internal checks) decided to admit me for 3 days and start a dialator treatment to widen the opening of my Vagina. Now Dialators come in packs of 8 sizes. Size 1 being as small as a little finger - size 8 being as big as an 'average' penis. At no point was I in control of any of these dialators being inserted into my Vagina!! On the first day she started with size 1, then size 2, then size 3. I was bleeding and in agony and crying. I was burning trying to urinate and it took me a good hour at least to urinate once. On day 2 she used size 3, size 4 and went to try size 5 with me begging for mercy. This was when I contacted my consultant back home and told him what was happening. To say I was being discharged with an apology within an hour would be pretty accurate. In fact he used my ordeal with all female patients using dialators to educate and ensure it was never repeated again. From there on I was referred to a Gynae oncologist who knew very little about Lichen Sclerosus but was very experimental. I had 3 clitoral hood separations, which never lasted long as the skin always grew back over within a few months, 2 skin grafts with a plastic surgeon which I have to say lasted years so was a better treatment long term as well as countless biopsies for pre cancer cells. I was put on Dermovate from the first appointment with her and have used it ever since (approximately 12 years now). I must point out that there were some very dark times during the early stages of diagnosis. Times when I felt like a freak, like I wasn’t good enough, worthless, suicidal, in a deep depression and that I would never be able to have a child of my own due to this incurable condition. Flash forward to 5.5 years ago when I welcomed my beautiful daughter into the world via c section and things couldn't be more different now. I won't lie, sex is unbearably painful still so I still avoid it. But those thoughts and feelings of hopelessness, of not feeling worthy or not wanting to live have gone. Now I have turned those feelings into passion. A passion to make a difference to many women, Men and children who have Lichen Sclerosus, the ones who have been diagnosed but aren't getting the help they need and the ones who are still being mistreated for Thrush time and time again, the ones who don't yet know they have Lichen Sclerosus and need immediate treatment starting. That is why I run support groups for women and men with Lichen Sclerosus, it's why I have started the awareness website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. I want to spread the word and get the symptoms out to as many people as I possibly can so they can get the diagnosis they need. I want medical professionals to have training on Lichen Sclerosus and Vulva Cancer. I want Leaflets in all surgeries and hospitals. I want children to be taught about Lichen Sclerosus in Sex Education lessons at school. I want more research and better treatments. To have stem cell treatments available on the NHS. These are my goals and i hope you will join me in making these things happen. --- ## Live Well Be Well URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/live-well-be-well/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Sarah Ann Maklin - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/live-well-be-well.jpg - infoLink: https://lnk.to/niJn7C - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KzOtx55wRngyeKC9raJDn - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/live-well-be-well-with-sarah-ann-macklin-health/id1508380100 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCASEE6WVp31E3FNeM-Mk_bw Sarah Ann Macklin is a distinguished force in health, nutrition, and wellness advocacy, renowned for her dynamic approach and groundbreaking initiatives. As the founder and host of the top health podcast "Live Well Be Well," she has spent the last three years interviewing some of the world’s greatest minds, exploring the true essence of living well. --- ## Making Menopause Matter URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/making-menopause-matter/ Metadata: - subtitle: The Essential Guide - author: Diane Danzebrink - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: menopause - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/making-menopause-matter.jpg - infoLink: https://menopausesupport.co.uk/ - purchaseLink: https://www.sheldonpress.co.uk/titles/diane-danzebrink/making-menopause-matter/9781399812672/ - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Diane Danzebrink is a psychotherapist, menopause educator, and founder of the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign a grassroots initiative that’s reshaped public discourse around menopause in the UK. After experiencing a life-altering surgical menopause, Diane became a fierce advocate for better menopause education in schools, workplaces, and healthcare. Her work blends emotional intelligence, policy advocacy, and lived experience, making her one of the most trusted voices in menopause support today. Through her writing, speaking, and campaigning, she continues to break stigma and build safer, more informed spaces for women everywhere. Making Menopause Matter; this book is both a practical guide and a powerful call to action. It offers clear, compassionate insights into the physical, emotional, and social realities of menopause, it covers everything from hormone therapy and mental health to workplace support and medical care. With personal stories, expert advice, and advocacy tools, this book helps women feel seen, heard, and empowered. It’s not just a book, it’s a movement toward better education, healthcare, and dignity for all women navigating menopause. --- ## Making Menopause Matter URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/making-menopuase-matter-podcast/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Diane Danzebrink - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/making-menopause-matter.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BsTBPH4LjNHPNXUWsV3b5 - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/making-menopause-matter/id1818079720 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Making Menopause Matter is the powerful podcast by Diane Danzebrink, founder of Menopause Support UK and creator of the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign. - Honest, stigma-breaking conversations about menopause - Deep dives into symptoms, treatments, and emotional wellbeing - Self-care strategies, workplace support, and relationship insights - Episodes aligned with chapters from [Diane’s book Making Menopause Matter](/resources/books/making-menopause-matter/) --- ## margo-kwiatkowski URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/margo-kwiatkowski/ Metadata: - name: Margo Kwiatkowski - authorSlug: margo-kwiatkowski - role: Pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist - businessName: p4moms - email: - phone: - url: https://www.p4moms.com - socials: [object Object] - country: USA - metaTitle: Margo Kwiatkowski | Telehealth Provider | Pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: margo-kwiatkowski.jpg - tags: continence,pelvic-health,prolapse - draft: false Margo Kwiatkowski, PT, DPT, CSCS,PCES is a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist based outside of Ojai, California. Her career began in professional sports, including time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, before transitioning into outpatient practice where she discovered her passion for pelvic health—especially in supporting postpartum athletes returning to peak performance. She holds certifications as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Body Ready Method Pro, with advanced training in pelvic organ prolapse management, including pessary fitting. Margo has helped thousands of women worldwide through both in-person and virtual care. In addition to clinical practice, she teaches continuing education courses for physical therapists on the management of prolapse and has created online programs designed to empower women living with prolapse to better understand their bodies and restore quality of life. ### Pelvic Health Coaching In addition to in-person physical therapy I offer virtual physical therapy to patients in California and wellness coaching to people world-wide. During sessions we speak in depth about your medical history, birth history, current symptoms (how they are evolving), what treatment you have tried so far, medical tests done (if any), what has been working and what seems to not be helping at this time. We go into detail about your bowel and bladder health/habits and break down your pelvic symptoms. I’ll take the time to educate you on certain topics along the way as they pertain to your situation. We look at your posture, spine motion, breathing, core contraction/stabilization, squats, hip hinges, lunges etc. I then select exercises for you that will help improve your functional movement, core and pelvic floor strength/coordination. After our session I send you a detailed email summary of what we talked about during the session. You will also receive individualized exercises in video form to help address your unique impairments. --- ## Menopause and vaginal health: The effects of low oestrogen and what to do about it URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/menopause-and-vaginal-health/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Understanding low estrogen's impact on vaginal health during menopause. Natural and medical solutions for dryness, infections, and intimate wellness. - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Sarah Henschel - authorSlug: sarah-henschel - featuredImage: sarah-henschel-feature.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Menopause and vaginal health: The effects of low oestrogen and what to do about it - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Menopause is a natural part of life, but it brings changes that aren’t always easy to talk about - especially vaginal health. Low oestrogen can impact the vaginal microbiome and tissue, causing dryness, irritation, and sometimes painful intimacy. The good news? There are both naturopathic and medical ways to support vaginal health and comfort during this transition. ### Why oestrogen matters for vaginal health Oestrogen does more than regulate periods - it keeps your vaginal tissue healthy and your microbiome balanced: - **Maintains moisture and elasticity** – helping prevent dryness and thinning. - **Supports healthy bacteria** – Lactobacillus thrives with estrogen, keeping the vagina slightly acidic and protected from infection. - **Boosts blood flow** – which helps tissue repair and overall comfort. When oestrogen drops during menopause, the vaginal walls can thin, the microbiome may shift, and dryness or discomfort can occur. ### Signs low oestrogen is affecting your vaginal health - Vaginal dryness or itching - Pain during sex - Recurrent infections - Recurrent UTI´s - the urethra changes as oestrogen levels drop, making it easier for bacteria to stay around causing UTI´s – good news is, we can treat this issue with vaginal oestrogen creams or pessaries safely and easily - Increased vaginal pH (less “friendly” environment for healthy bacteria) ### Naturopathic tips to support vaginal health 1. **Eat for your microbiome** – probiotic foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) and phytoestrogens (soy, flax, chickpeas) can help. 2. **Stay hydrated and nourish tissues** – omega-3s from fish, chia, or flaxseed support vaginal elasticity. 3. **Use gentle moisturizers** – hyaluronic acid gels, aloe-based lubricants, or coconut oil can relieve dryness. 4. **Keep tissues active** – sexual activity or pelvic floor exercises improve blood flow and tissue health. 5. **Avoid irritants** – skip scented soaps, douches, and harsh detergents. ### Medical options - **Topical oestrogen** – creams, tablets, or rings restore tissue thickness and moisture. \*It can take a 3-12 months to notice the full effect as the vaginal tissue needs time to recover and repair itself - **Oral HRT** – helpful if you also have hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms. - **Non-hormonal therapies** – prescription moisturizers and gels if estrogen isn’t an option. ### Takeaway Vaginal health doesn’t have to suffer in menopause. Combining naturopathic strategies with medical support can help maintain comfort, intimacy, and confidence. Listen to your body, nourish your tissues, and seek guidance when needed—your vaginal health matters at every stage of life. --- ## Midlife Matters URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/midlife-matters/ Metadata: - subtitle: Feel Empowered and Confident Every Step of the Way - author: Katie Taylor - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: menopause - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/midlife-matters.jpg - infoLink: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/midlife-matters-9780241674451 - purchaseLink: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/midlife-matters-9780241674451 - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: With significant female figures breaking down taboos around menopause and opening up the discussion, women are in a stronger position than ever before to insist on a better midlife experience – a real cause for celebration. But while these discussions around menopause are brilliant and empowering, it’s vital that we don't let the conversation stop there. Because midlife for women is a multifaceted experience, one in which our changing bodies and minds play an enormous part, but that’s far from the only thing going on. MIDLIFE MATTERS is an all-encompassing guide for midlife women, exploring the key areas of HEALTH, WELLBEING, NUTRITION, BEAUTY, SEX & RELATIONSHIPS, WORK LIFE, and FINANCES with warmth and honesty. In this much-needed book, menopause campaigner and founder of the award-winning platform for midlife women, The Latte Lounge, brings together renowned experts to inform and empower you through every step of your midlife journey. With comprehensive advice from leading doctors, psychologists, dermatologists, dieticians, athletes, journalists, lawyers and more, this midlife manual will help you to make your middle years the best ones yet. --- ## My journey with levator avulsion URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/my-journey-with-levator-avulsion/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Lyn Leger's honest journey with levator avulsion after childbirth. From diagnosis challenges to mental health support and finding community healing. - publishDate: Sat Sep 06 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Lyn Leger - authorSlug: lyn-leger - featuredImage: lyn-leger-feature.jpg - tags: prolapse,continence,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: My journey with levator avulsion - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: In 2017, I sustained injuries while giving birth to my first child. At the time, I knew things didn’t feel right. I went to see a few different medical and allied health professionals in the hope of someone telling me why I felt the way I did, but no-one did. This should have been a special time getting to know my new baby. Instead, I found myself slipping into a dark and confusing period, not knowing what was wrong with me. Among other things, it impacted my ability to parent and to bond with my baby. I got pregnant again quite quickly, through painful sex, and had a second child in 2018. Five weeks after the birth of my second child I discovered a bulge (pelvic organ prolapse) at the entrance of my vagina. I was horrified and scared! This began six months of MANY appointments with my obstetrician, multiple GPs, four different pelvic floor physios and a urogynecologist. It took me a while to find a GP who understood it wasn’t only older women who had prolapse, and a pelvic floor physio who could palpate to diagnose avulsion. During this time I was told by more than one practitioner to ‘stop catastrophising’. The imaging by the urogynecologist finally confirmed it all for me… I have bilateral avulsion of the levator ani muscle, as well as three compartment prolapse. The diagnosis was devastating. For a long time, I couldn’t speak to anyone openly about the injury, except for my husband. This was because I couldn’t see it and couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t understand what all the impacts were to my life as I was still discovering them daily. If anyone asked how I was, I would either lie and say “good thanks” or burst into tears trying to tell them. I felt so isolated, and so alone. Over the following months, I started to get a better picture of the impacts and how I would need to manage the levator avulsion and prolapses for the rest of my life. These impacts – both current and future – became so overwhelming that I began experiencing suicidal thoughts. This was a deeply distressing and unexpected moment in my journey, and I’m grateful that I was able to reach out for help and am still here today to share my story. After this event, I realised I needed serious and urgent help for my mental health. I saw my GP and was prescribed antidepressants, and while these aren’t for everyone, they helped me immensely in this time of crisis. Also, I found a psychologist and began regular appointments, including the use of EMDR. After one of my early appointments with the psychologist, I drew a ‘mind map’ of the many impacts that levator avulsion and prolapse had already had on my life. It shows how my birth injury, which cannot be seen, impacts EVERY aspect of my life; everything from the physical aspects of the injury, managing a pessary, fitting in the required ongoing rehabilitation, to my work, home and social life, mental and physical health and well-being, my relationship with my husband, children and extended family, and my ability to look after my own children. Making this mind map helped me to recognise the many layers of impacts, how they are interrelated, and why I felt so overwhelmed. I want to share this image so that others may be able to better understand their own injuries and impacts, and hopefully feel less overwhelmed by them. Additionally, I reached out to speak to others with levator avulsion. I went to a face-to-face session held by [Birth Trauma Australia](https: same injury as me. We discussed which practitioners they were going to, their struggles, and the things that had helped them overcome various challenges. However, the thing that helped me the most was just knowing there were other women out there dealing with the same injury and similar challenges. Online communities helped me in this way too, including Facebook groups such as an [Australian pelvic organ prolapse group](https: [Birth Trauma Australia support group](https: women with lived experience, who understood what I was going through. My journey with levator avulsion continues. One thing is for sure, as I age and go through menopause, things will get worse. I have tried to set myself up with good friends and professional support networks, and despite my anxiety about the future, I will just have to take each day as it comes. Since I was diagnosed with levator avulsion and prolapse, I have read many articles from peer-reviewed journals in an effort to understand my injury. - Approx 1 in 5 women sustain levator avulsion during their first delivery (with the incidence of avulsion reported at 13–36%, or up to 1 in 3 in some studies) - Avulsion has been found in up to 66% of women after forceps deliveries - 36% of women with prolapse have underlying avulsion Realising how common this injury is, I thought surely there is a surgical fix for me and searched for more information. However, I discovered there is no surgical solution for avulsion. At best, surgery for avulsion is considered experimental. Additionally, while prolapse surgeries are relatively common, they have a high re-operation rate, around 30%, and my urogynecologist explained to me that for women with avulsion, the failure rate of prolapse surgery is much higher, around 70- 80%. To say these statistics are shocking to me is a gross understatement. It was even more shocking to me that NOTHING big is being done to help women with birth injuries when the scale of the problem is obviously HUGE! Listening to the news on the radio one day, hearing about endeavours to send spacecraft to Mars, and establishing communities on the Moon, I got incredibly angry. How is this fair? Somehow, millions, probably billions of dollars are poured into R&D for these activities in space, but we can’t fix a woman’s vagina after she gives life to another. Birth injuries are a major public health issue, with long-term physical and psychological effects that severely impact the lives of thousands of women every year. I believe that immediate action is required to secure funding for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of birth injuries, which are often overlooked in discussions about women's health. I shared my recommendations for action, as well as my mind map, with the [2023 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma](https: ### I really want the Government to implement my recommendations - Ensure that funding can be allocated to research on diagnosis, treatment and management of levator ani avulsion, commensurate to the economic burden of avulsion - Address gender bias in the health system and health research by focusing on issues that impact women’s health and quality of life. - Improve the lives of women with birth injuries by ensuring access, early diagnosis, affordability of medical and allied health services, and long-term treatment and management options. - Provide a positive impact on the economy and society as women with avulsion will more likely be able to participate fully in society again. --- ## NAFC Life without Leaks URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/life-without-leaks/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: NAFC - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/life-without-leaks.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/70fTcG8SgNAf6BsoaorbHx - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-without-leaks/id1623821953 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP8kIB1vMVysG107iQVYNPY83LTKyHU1O Life Without Leaks is brought to you by the National Association for Continence, America's leading advocate for patients with bladder and bowel disorders. We discuss important topics for those living with incontinence, including hints and tips for better management, insights on state-of-the-art medical care and stories offering hope and guidance for those on the path to drier days. Remember, there's no shame in being human. --- ## Oops! I peed my pants URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/oops-i-peed-my-pants/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Ruth Astbury - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/oops-i-peed-my-pants.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/3xp25pVgivcyehex08avtQ - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oops-i-peed-my-pants-podcast/id1797396682 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCurkojvQ3dMHK1UPTpA5ZcA Let’s be real… bladder leaks happen. But why aren’t we talking about it? Well, that changes NOW! Join Ruth Astbury, therapeutic & hormonal coach, alongside Faye Cunningham & Lizzie Evans, specialist pelvic health physiotherapists from The Pelvic Physios, as we tackle the taboo of female incontinence with honesty, expert advice, and a whole lot of laughs. ### What to expect: - Real talk about bladder leaks, menopause, and postpartum recovery - Expert insights on pelvic floor health (what REALLY works!) - No more shame — just support, solutions & solidarity - Audience Q&As —yes, we’re answering YOUR questions! --- ## Painful orgasm: Understanding and overcoming Dysorgasmia URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/painful-orgasm-overcoming-dysorgasmia/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Understanding dysorgasmia: causes of painful orgasms and treatment options. Expert guide to pelvic floor therapy and sexual wellness solutions. - publishDate: Sat Aug 30 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Dr Sara Reardon - authorSlug: sara-reardon - featuredImage: sara-reardon-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Painful orgasm: understanding and overcoming Dysorgasmia - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Orgasms can be the very welcome grand finale of an intimate experience. But if you’re someone who feels pain instead of pleasure at the peak moment, you’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone. Orgasms can be the very welcome grand finale of an intimate experience. They’re your body’s way of saying, “Hey, great job down there!” But if you’re someone who feels pain instead of pleasure at the peak moment, you’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone. A condition in which you experience a painful orgasm, also called dysorgasmia, is more common than people realize. ### What actually is an orgasm? Before we tackle the complexities of painful orgasms, it’s important to understand what an orgasm entails. Although similar in their pelvic floor contractions, they are experienced differently from person to person and from moment to moment. An orgasm is a moment of intense pleasure that lends to a brief feeling of both physical and mental euphoria.[^1] The most common symptoms are involuntary contractions in the pelvic floor muscles — particularly around the vagina and uterus (in female bodies), prostate (in male bodies) and anal opening. ### Different kinds of orgasms (and why that matters) Orgasms aren’t one-size-fits-all. According to research, women can experience orgasms triggered by a variety of both genital and non-genital touch — and the type of stimulation may affect the physical sensations and even emotional impact of an orgasm.[^2] ### Some main types of orgasms include: - **Clitoral orgasms:** This is the most commonly reported, “easiest” to reach, type of orgasm. Your clitoris is jam-packed with nerve endings and external or internal clitoral stimulation can lead to rapid, intense pleasure. - **Vaginal orgasms:** These happen from internal stimulation, especially the front vaginal wall — often linked to the “G-spot”. Vaginal orgasms often feel deeper and may trigger more full-body sensations. - **Cervical orgasms:** Triggered by deep penetration or direct stimulation of your cervix (the opening to the uterus), cervical orgasms may feel deeper or more emotional. Not everyone finds cervical stimulation comfortable, but for those who do, the sensation is often said to be the most pleasurable. - **Blended orgasms:** This happens when multiple areas are stimulated at once — like your clitoris and vagina. Often, people report combined sensations for a more intense or longer-lasting orgasm. - **Non-genital orgasms:** Yes, really! Some people report orgasms from stimulating non-genital areas like the nipples or ears. Non- genital orgasms may even be achieved while sleeping, like during a dream, or while exercising.[^3] Why does this matter? Because the type of stimulation involved can activate different muscles and nerves — and that can affect whether you experience a painful orgasm. For example, deeper orgasms involving your cervix or pelvic floor may trigger more discomfort if you have tight pelvic floor muscles, a condition like endometriosis, or a history of a gynecological surgery.[^4] Understanding your own orgasmic pain patterns can help you identify triggers and get the right kind of support if you’re experiencing pain. ### Causes of painful orgasm Experiencing pain during or after orgasm can be attributed to various things. Here are some of the more common culprits. #### Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction The pelvic floor muscles play a huge role in orgasm. These muscles contract rapidly to help create pleasurable sensations. However, if these muscles are overly tight or in spasm, then these contractions can be painful. Too tight pelvic floor muscles is a type of pelvic floor dysfunction, not only can they lead to pelvic floor pain during sex, but they can lead to painful orgasm as well. #### Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue can cause pain and inflammation throughout your body, which can be especially bad when you’re on your period and during sex.[^5] Some research suggests that 14% of people with endometriosis also have dysorgasmia, which is linked to their pelvic floor pain and chronic centralized pain.[^6] #### Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This condition can lead to inflammation and scarring, causing pelvic pain and painful sex that may get worse during orgasm. Think of it as trying to dance with a sprained ankle — the movement aggravates the injury. #### Ovarian cysts Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on your ovaries.[^7] While many are harmless, some can cause pain, especially if they rupture. If you experience sharp pain on one side during orgasm, an ovarian cyst might be the culprit. #### Uterine fibroids These noncancerous growths in the uterus can lead to discomfort during sex and orgasm. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can press against surrounding tissues, making muscle contractions during orgasm painful. It’s akin to having an uninvited guest taking up too much space on the dance floor. #### Gynecological surgery Surgeries like hysterectomy, fallopian tube removal (salpingectomy), or endometriosis treatment can lead to painful orgasms due to nerve changes, scar tissue (adhesions), or pelvic floor dysfunction. Nerves may become overly sensitive, and tight pelvic muscles can add to the discomfort — especially without proper post-op rehab like pelvic floor therapy. #### Sex guilt Painful orgasms aren’t just physical — they can be deeply emotional, too. Feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety — especially if tied to cultural, religious, or societal pressures around sex — can actually contribute to pelvic floor tension and amplify pain.[^8] With sex guilt you may even unconsciously brace or tighten your muscles during sex due to internalized beliefs or past trauma, leading to or worsening orgasmic pain.[^9] ### How to find relief from pain when orgasming Experiencing painful orgasms isn’t something you have to endure silently. There are several approaches to alleviate the discomfort: #### Pelvic floor physical therapy If you have painful orgasms, work on your pelvic floor to address issues like muscle tightness, trigger points, and spasms. You can learn to unwind chronic pain which can improve your sexual health and physical emotional well-being with treatment that includes manual therapy, biofeedback, and tailored exercises. #### Medical interventions Depending on the underlying cause, medical treatments may be necessary. Common medications include antibiotics to treat infections like PID or pain relievers for more chronic conditions. In cases of significant uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis, surgical intervention might be recommended to remove problematic tissues. If you have orgasmic pain, let your healthcare provider know to help you rule out any medical conditions that could be causing your pain and determine the most appropriate treatment plan. #### Emotional support for painful orgasm Talking to a licensed sex therapist or a mental health professional who specializes in sexual dysfunction can help untangle the emotional layers of dysorgasmia. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore how past experiences or beliefs may be affecting your body’s responses. And don’t underestimate the power of open communication. Sharing what you’re going through with a trusted partner can reduce anxiety, build intimacy, and help you both explore new ways to experience pleasure without pain (or pressure). This can be especially important for sexually active couples navigating discomfort together. ### You are not broken — your body is talking A painful orgasm doesn’t mean you’re broken. Your body is trying to tell you something. Painful orgasms can be fixed, managed, or dramatically improved. In the [V-Hive](https: exercises and stretches designed to relieve painful orgasms and provide support for your pelvic floor and your sex life. [^1]: Meston, C.M., et. al. (2004). [Women’s orgasm](https: [^2]: Weitkamp K., et. al. (2023). [Women’s Experiences of Different Types of Orgasms-A Call for Pleasure Literacy?](https: [^3]: Cronkleton, E. (2023). [Coregasm: Why it Happens, how to have one, and more](https: [^4]: Giovannetti O,. et. al. (2023). [The contribution of the cervix to sexual response: an online survey study](https: Medicine. [^5]: World Health Organization. (2023). [Endometriosis](https: [^6]: Ding, A., et. al., (2024). [Pain with orgasm in endometriosis: potential etiologic factors and clinical correlates](https: Medicine. [^7]: Beerten S.G., et. al., (2024). [Dysorgasmia in women: Case report and preliminary assessment guide](https: [^8]: Ley, D.J., (2017). [Overcoming religious sexual shame](https: Today. [^9]: Azim, K.A., et. al., (2021). [Exploring relationships between genito- pelvic pain/penetration disorder, sex guilt, and religiosity among college women in the U.S](https: --- ## Pelvic Floor Pro URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/apps/pelvic-floor-pro/ Metadata: - subtitle: Pelvic Floor Exercises - author: Lake City Physical Therapy, P.A. - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,pelvic-health,prolapse - category: app - image: /images/reviews/apps/pelvic-floor-pro.jpg - infoLink: https://pelvicfloorpro.com - purchaseLink: https://pelvicfloorpro.com - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pelvic-floor-pro/id6737835957 - googleLink: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lakecitypt.pelvic_floor_pro - youtubeLink: Strengthen your pelvic health with Pelvic Floor Pro! Personalized plans, expert-guided exercises, and progress tracking. Take control of your wellness today! Struggling with pelvic floor issues? Pelvic Floor Pro is your ultimate companion for strengthening and maintaining a healthy pelvic floor. Whether you’re looking to improve bladder control, recover postpartum, or simply prevent future concerns, this app provides guided workouts, personalized plans, and tools to track your progress—all in one convenient place. ### Why Pelvic Floor Pro? Pelvic floor health is essential for overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked. Pelvic Floor Pro offers easy-to-follow exercises tailored to your needs, empowering you to take control of your health and feel confident. ### Key Features: - **Tailored Exercise Plans:** Explore a variety of exercises designed by professionals to suit your unique needs and fitness level. - **Progress Tracker:** Monitor your improvements and celebrate milestones with our intuitive tracker. - **Daily Reminders:** Stay consistent with gentle nudges to complete your exercises. - **Educational Resources:** Learn more about pelvic floor health with expert tips and articles. - **Easy-to-Use Interface:** Navigate through the app effortlessly, whether you're at home or on the go. --- ## Pelvic Floor Recovery URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/pelvic-floor-recovery/ Metadata: - subtitle: Physiotherapy for Gynaecological and Colorectal Repair Surgery Edition 5 - author: Sue Croft - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/pelvic-floor-recovery.jpg - infoLink: https://pelvicfloorrecovery.com/ - purchaseLink: https://suecroftphysiotherapist.com.au/book-shop/ - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Sue Croft is a pioneering Australian physiotherapist specializing in pelvic health. With over three decades of clinical experience, she’s helped thousands of women and men manage pelvic floor dysfunction with dignity and clarity. Sue is known for her warm, accessible writing style and her tireless advocacy for destigmatising intimate health issues. Through her books, blogs, and Brisbane clinic, she continues to educate, empower, and uplift, making pelvic health care more inclusive and informed. Pelvic Floor Recovery offers women a clear, empowering roadmap through pelvic surgery recovery. With gentle language and practical strategies, it demystifies pelvic anatomy, explains common procedures, and provides safe, physiotherapy-based exercises to support healing. Whether you're preparing for surgery or navigating post-op care, this book is a trusted companion. --- ## Pelvic Organ Prolapse URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Metadata: - subtitle: The Silent Epidemic - author: Sherrie Palm - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/pelvic-organ-prolapse.jpg - infoLink: http://sherriepalm.com/home - purchaseLink: https://www.booktopia.com.au/pelvic-organ-prolapse-sherrie-palm/book/9781622124046.html - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: There are more than 300,000 surgeries for POP annually. Due to various causes such as menopause, estrogen loss, genetics, childbirth or heavy lifting, a woman's pelvic organs can shift or drop. This can lead to POP symptoms, including some painful and embarrassing ones, as well as impacting a woman's sexuality. The condition has probably always existed, but has received little press or public acknowledgement so women could learn about the condition and treatment options. This book on POP fills an unfortunate void in women's health awareness. Sherrie Palm writes about her own personal experiences in Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic. She had never heard about the condition until she needed surgery for it. Palm explores the subject from all angles, providing the information women need to recognize the symptoms of POP and to become advocates for their own health. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic named the winner for Women's Health in the USA Book News National "BEST BOOKS 2009" Awards. --- ## Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: it is time to LEARN a NEW tune! URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/pregnancy-related-pelvic-girdle-pain/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Understand pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain beyond outdated beliefs. Expert physiotherapist explains evidence-based approach to PGP management and pain science. - publishDate: Sun Sep 14 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Dr Sinéad Dufour - authorSlug: sinead-dufour - featuredImage: sinead-dufour-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain: it is time to LEARN a NEW tune! - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Why do tunes get stuck in our head? We like the tune or maybe we just heard it recently! For the same reason, we get stuck into treatment patterns because they are comfortable and familiar. When it comes to pregnancy-related PGP the long-standing familiar narrative is reflected in this case study. The problem is that this narrative is outdated, untrue and actually harmful. We all need to do better evolve our narrative a reframe our understanding of pregnancy-related PGP. It is a pain experience that has nothing to do with relaxing, pelvic mechanics or even the pregnancy itself. It has everything to do with the context of the pregnancy, factors of which for some people are making their systems more protective and sensitive (fear, worry, and previous births trauma are some of the key culprits of a protective system). Despite mounting evidence of the role that psychosocial and physiological factors play, PGP continues to be mainly understood and treated as a purely biomechanical issue. However, congruent with broader literature examining lumbopelvic pain more globally, PPGP must be understood along with the evolution of contemporary pain science regarding the multifaceted nature of pain and the context of each pregnant person’s unique lived experience The factors at play for each person are a bit different so working with a pelvic health physiotherapist who has training in pain science can be very helpful. [PDF Available for download in multiple languages](https: The key aspects of our reframed approach to pregnancy-related PGP are explained in the infographic below and to learn more about this topic you can tune into the podcast below. [At Your Cervix podcast Season 2 Ep 1 - Understanding Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain with Dr Sinead Dufour](https: Women deserve updated evidenced-based care – if you are someone who needs help navigating pain you are experiencing in pregnancy or post-partum, you can do a virtual consult with me. If you are a health care provider who needs a tune up in your clinical skills on the topic of pregnancy- related PGP, come learn with me. Use code PGP25 to get 25% off my course: [Reframe Pelvic Girdle Pain: A 21st Century Approach](https: --- ## Prolapse Exercises Inside Out URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/prolapse-exercises-iniside-out/ Metadata: - subtitle: Physiotherapy Guide For Women - author: Michelle Kenway - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/prolapse-exercises-inside-out.jpg - infoLink: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/pelvic-exercise-products/books/prolapse-exercises/ - purchaseLink: https://www.stressnomore.co.uk/products/michelle-kenway-prolapse-exercises-inside-out-10000 - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: The highly anticipated new book from physiotherapist and pelvic health expert Michelle Kenway has arrived! Known as a global advocate for women’s pelvic health, Michelle’s work has been followed and supported by Kegel8 for years. Her expert guidance has helped countless women regain their confidence, and now her latest book, Prolapse Exercises Inside Out, is set to revolutionise how women manage pelvic organ prolapse (POP). ### What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become too weak to support the pelvic organs, causing the bladder, uterus, or vaginal walls to drop into the vaginal canal. It’s a condition that affects many women, particularly after childbirth, menopause, or surgery. The fear of worsening prolapse often leads women to avoid exercise altogether, but Michelle’s book empowers women to exercise safely and effectively to manage prolapse, improve fitness, and regain confidence. ### Why Prolapse Exercises Inside Out Is a Must-Have Michelle Kenway provides comprehensive advice for managing prolapse, with guidance tailored to women at all stages of their pelvic health journey. Whether you're recovering from prolapse surgery, looking to strengthen your core, or seeking safe ways to stay active, this book covers it all: - **Pelvic Floor-Safe Exercises:** Learn the types of movements that support your pelvic floor and avoid those that strain it. - **Post-Surgery Recovery:** Gentle exercises to help you rebuild strength and support healing. - **Core Strengthening:** Safe abdominal workouts that avoid overloading your pelvic floor. - **Weight Management Tips:** Reduce pressure on your pelvic floor with sustainable weight-loss exercises. - **Bone Health:** Improve osteoporosis while protecting your pelvic floor. With Prolapse Exercises Inside Out, Michelle demystifies pelvic floor health with easy-to-follow instructions, step-by-step photographic guides, and clear diagrams. --- ## Remembering the Whisper Within URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/remember-the-whisper-within/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Mic tap. Tap.. Tap tap.. tap.. I curiously look around a room that could be empty or packed full. …Overhead lights blinding my eyes. 'Is this thing on? - publishDate: Mon Sep 29 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Amanda Curry - authorSlug: amanda-curry - featuredImage: amanda-curry-feature.jpg - tags: - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Remembering the Whisper Within - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Mic tap. Tap.. Tap tap.. tap.. I curiously look around a room that could be empty or packed full. …Overhead lights blinding my eyes. 'Is this thing on?' Mic tap. Tap.. Tap tap.. tap.. I curiously look around a room that could be empty or packed full. …Overhead lights blinding my eyes. “Is this thing on?” Thud thud thud. A louder test to this thing that's supposed to project my message louder… Finally the squeal of feedback hits my ears. “Oh. Ok. There we go.” Staring straight into the abyss, I ask again. “Are you ladies ok out there?” No response. “No seriously. I know this thing is on.” I can feel their energy rustling. The uncertainty of their ability to respond. The fear of what’s to come in holding this question in their mind's eye and hurting hearts. The house lights drop and I can see every one of their faces glowing in front of me. Mom’s with babies on their hips. Women holding their womb. Angry scowls and fixed jaws. Darting eyes and legs braced to exit. Women wearing Jimmy Choos and Vera Wang clutching Prada purses. Others with worn hand me downs and their latest discount snag. Those that struggle with disconnection to themselves, their partner, their kids, and/or their family. Those that have a severed relationship to their body, their heart, and their womb. Those that feel lost and confused in the washing machine that is life as a modern day woman. I HEAR YOU, I whisper. Your inner dialogue of inquiry, hypercriticalness, and helplessness reverberating in my ears. I SEE YOU, I offer. Reading the books, skimming blogs, watching youtube videos, and confiding in friends. I FEEL YOU, I finally scream. The tossing and turning at night, clenching your teeth and pelvic floor during the day, your whole body tensing with anger, despair, and confusion at where you’re at. I can do all this because I have experienced parts of what you have experienced. Held women in what you are experiencing. And hold a tenderness for the tiny little girls staring back at me attempting to navigate this wild wild world as adult women. I want you to know this tenderness I feel. That I have found, cultivated, and gifted to myself and others is REAL.. And It’s available for you too. But you can’t find it in stores, a manual, or pill bottle. It can only be found WITHIN YOU. And with so much gentleness, I want to remind you…. You are the gatekeeper of all the sensations and emotions within. You are the knower of all that you need to feel safe and whole. You are the permission giver to all of the things you desire and dream about. So let this be my message of remembering both the simplicity and complexity of life as one that may consistently hurt on a physical, emotional, and energetical level. Of your ability to hold safety in the unknown. Of the permission to let yourself unravel. Of the gift that is advocating for what you know, what you need, and lengths you will go to get it. Let this be the re awakening of the whisper that grows to a roar. “Just keep going. You know the way.” --- ## Restoring the Pelvic Floor for Women URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/restoring-the-pelvic-floor-for-women/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Dr Amanda Olsen - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/restoring-the-pelvic-floor.jpg - infoLink: https://www.amandaolsondpt.com/ - purchaseLink: https://www.amandaolsondpt.com/ - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Dr. Amanda Olson is a pelvic health physical therapist, entrepreneur, author, and global educator with a passion for empowering men and women and advancing conversations around pelvic health. With over a decade of experience, she has dedicated her career to breaking stigmas around pelvic health, supporting patients with conditions including incontinence, pelvic pain, cancer, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, and MRKH, and developing innovative solutions to improve quality of life. Dr. Olson is the President & Chief Clinical Officer of Intimate Rose, a successful pelvic health device company, holds multiple patents, and has authored three peer- reviewed journal articles as well as the book Restoring the Pelvic Floor for Women. Restoring the Pelvic floor offers clear, compassionate support for women navigating pelvic floor dysfunction. Blending clinical expertise with emotional safety, the book covers conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual health. It introduces evidence-based exercises, lifestyle strategies, and therapeutic tools to help women restore strength, function, and confidence. With its accessible tone and stigma-breaking approach, Restoring the Pelvic Floor is a trusted companion for anyone seeking healing and hope. --- ## Rethinking Comfort in the Speculum Exam URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/rethinking-comfort-in-the-speculum-exam/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Dr. Emily Fitch explores improving speculum exam comfort for patients and providers. Advocacy tips, modern innovations, and respectful healthcare. - publishDate: Tue Sep 23 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Dr. Emily Fitch - authorSlug: emily-fitch - featuredImage: emily-fitch-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Rethinking Comfort in the Speculum Exam - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Speculum exams are a vital part of women’s health care, but they’re often remembered with dread rather than comfort. Patients deserve agency, providers deserve better tools, and both deserve an exam experience that feels respectful. In this blog, Dr. Emily Fitch explores how comfort can be improved on both sides of the exam and how innovation is helping to reimagine the process. No matter the stage of life, speculum examinations are uncomfortable. Over the years, I patients have echoed these exams are cold, painful, simply something you just “have to deal with”. I’ve also spoken with providers who feel limited by the tools they use, wishing the process could be smoother for both sides of the exam table. The truth is, comfort in a speculum exam is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Comfort directly impacts the quality of care delivered through patient trust and test efficacy. Improving that comfort requires collaboration from both patients and providers. ### How patients can advocate for themselves Your voice matters. Here are some tips on how to be more active in shaping your experience: - Before the exam, sharing past experiences, asking for the smallest available size, or requesting that the speculum be warmed or lubricated are all reasonable ways to help increase comfort. - During the exam, communicate openly. Ask the provider to explain each step, or to request quiet if that feels more grounding. You can pause or stop the procedure if needed, request adjustments to positioning, or even insert the speculum yourself in certain cases. - After the exam, feedback matters. Letting the provider know what worked well, asking about alternatives for the future, or simply voicing questions about findings helps ensure the visit ends with clarity and respect. ### What providers can do to support comfort For providers, reducing discomfort is part of delivering quality, compassionate care. Here are some examples on how that can be achieved: - Clear communication builds trust: explaining steps, offering reassurance, and responding openly to patient concerns or preferences. - Thoughtful technique matters: using the right size, warming the instrument, or applying lubricant when appropriate can reduce discomfort significantly. - Creating space for agency gives patients control: by encouraging feedback, respecting a request to pause, or guiding the process. - Being open to innovation improves care: clinically tested modern designs can reduce exam time, improve visualization, and support a more comfortable experience. ### A shared responsibility When patients are empowered to advocate for their needs and providers respond with openness and care, healthcare improves. What once caused dread and avoidance can become a moment where women reclaim their autonomy. Comfort isn’t just about easing discomfort; it’s about creating a foundation of trust that strengthens care and protects our health. Innovations in women’s health are beginning to reflect this shift. [The Bouquet Speculum](https: For sales enquiries, please contact [Pioneer Medical Europe](https: --- ## sarah-henschel URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/sarah-henschel/ Metadata: - name: Sarah Henschel - authorSlug: sarah-henschel - role: Naturopath & Nutritionist, Women's Health Advocate - businessName: Natology - email: sarah.henschel@natology.com.au - phone: 07 3252 7919 - url: https://www.natology.com.au - socials: [object Object] - country: Australia - metaTitle: Sarah Henschel | Telehealth Provider | Naturopath & Nutritionist | Women's Health Advocate - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: sarah-henschel.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false With over 20 years of experience, I’ve dedicated my practice to supporting women through life’s transitions. I understand the challenges that come with hormonal shifts, energy changes, and mood fluctuations, and I’m here to help you feel balanced, confident, and supported. My approach blends evidence-based testing with the gentle wisdom of natural medicine. Together, we’ll look at the whole picture—your body, lifestyle, and unique story—to create a plan that feels realistic, nourishing, and sustainable. I offer support for: - Menopause & hormonal balance - Thyroid and gut health - Skin, mood, and energy concerns - Nutrition and lifestyle guidance Above all, my goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where you feel heard and understood. Many women tell me they finally feel “seen” when we work together—and that’s the heart of what I do. If you’re ready to feel more like yourself again, I invite you to start with a free 15-minute call so we can talk about what’s going on for you and how I can help. --- ## Sex Without Pain URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/sex-without-pain/ Metadata: - subtitle: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve and - author: Dr Heather Jeffcoat - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: pelvic-health - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/sex-without-pain.jpg - infoLink: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631100084/?mr_donotredirect - purchaseLink: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631100084/?mr_donotredirect - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Heather Jeffcoat (she/her/hers) is the author of Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve and a recognized expert in the field of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is also a recent past President of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy from 2021-2024, and she served many years on the Advisory Board of the International Pelvic Pain Society. With her expanding mission to provide access to the specialized pelvic health services her office offers, she also launched the Empower Health Fund in 2019, a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status, providing no-cost care to low-income, marginalized populations. She has also been a featured guest on CNN, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Livestrong, the award-winning Sex With Emily podcast and Sirius XM show, Mom.me, ABC Radio and many others. Sexual pain is not a life sentence. It’s a signal, one that deserves compassion, clarity, and care. In Sex Without Pain, pelvic health expert Dr. Heather Jeffcoat offers a groundbreaking, stigma-breaking guide for women navigating conditions like vaginismus, vulvodynia, and painful intercourse. This book is more than a treatment plan—it’s a reclamation of agency, pleasure, and self-trust. Through gentle exercises, trauma-informed tools, and validating insights, Heather empowers readers to reconnect with their bodies and rewrite their intimate narratives. --- ## sinead-dufour URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/telehealth/sinead-dufour/ Metadata: - name: Dr Sinead Dufour - authorSlug: sinead-dufour - role: Physiotherapist specialising in perinatal care, pelvic health and pain science - businessName: - email: - phone: - url: - socials: [object Object] - country: Canada - metaTitle: Dr Sinead Dufour | Telehealth Provider | Physiotherapist - metaDescription: - publishDate: Thu Sep 11 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - featuredImage: sinead-dufour.jpg - tags: continence - draft: false Coming soon --- ## Squeeezy URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/apps/squeezy/ Metadata: - subtitle: Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises - author: Living With Ltd - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,prolapse - category: app - image: /images/reviews/apps/squeeezy.jpg - infoLink: https://squeezyapp.com - purchaseLink: https://squeezyapp.com - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/squeezy-nhs-pelvic-floor-app/id700740791?at=10lta2 - googleLink: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.propagator.squeezy - youtubeLink: Pelvic floor muscle exercises are incredibly effective as a first-line treatment for a variety of bladder, bowel and pelvic floor issues. Your pelvic floor muscles also play an important role in your sex life too! All women should perform pelvic floor exercises on a daily basis, preferably three times a day. There is excellent research to show that this can help keep your pelvic floor healthy, and prevent problems such as stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. For women who experience problems—such as bladder or bowel leakage, or pelvic organ prolapse—pelvic floor muscle exercises should be practised up to six times a day. --- ## The Day My Vagina Broke URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/books/the-day-my-vagina-broke/ Metadata: - subtitle: What They Don't Tell You About Childbirth - author: Stephanie Thompson - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: childbirth - category: book - image: /images/reviews/books/the-day-my-vagina-broke.jpg - infoLink: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-day-my-vagina-broke-stephanie-thompson/book/9781925921342.html?srsltid=AfmBOopPQUq-EdydM2Bm0IPJwxk_wnWyfqP0ahrg3djUCuB-YJdcg3B- - purchaseLink: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-day-my-vagina-broke-stephanie-thompson/book/9781925921342.html?srsltid=AfmBOopPQUq-EdydM2Bm0IPJwxk_wnWyfqP0ahrg3djUCuB-YJdcg3B- - draft: false - spotifyLink: - appleLink: - googleLink: - youtubeLink: The Day My Vagina Broke' follows one woman's journey to becoming a mumma and how she had no idea childbirth could break your vagina… and you. Once you're pregnant the rest is easy right? No. Knowing parenting wouldn't be easy, Stephanie Thompson never thought too much about how the baby would actually arrive, and how that was, in fact, the hardest part of the journey so far. Many women feel foolish for not knowing what they didn't know; they found out the hard way. 'The Day My Vagina Broke' is about breaking the silence on the secret women's code around childbirth and empowering mums-to-be at their most vulnerable time. After going through her own tough childbirth experience, Stephanie wants other mothers to be informed about all birthing methods and be empowered to decide which method is best for their individual needs, not what they hear or read as being the ‘best'. This book builds a sisterhood of support by taking away the pressure and judgement so many women place on themselves and others. While this is a tough subject, ‘The Day My Vagina Broke’ also provides hope for those who have been through a difficult birth and shows that you can still enjoy that wonderful moment you meet your baby for the first time. --- ## The Fem Tech Health Podcast URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/the-fem-tech-health-podcast/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Dr Sharee DiBiase - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/the-fem-tech-health-podcast.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hne4TiEdsuOOegT6srv3u - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/femtech-health-podcast/id1603325503 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Femtech and women's health podcast. We talk to leading experts in endometriosis, prenatal postpartum, pelvic floor, biotech and more. Join us weekly for conversations your OBGYN didn't even know existed. --- ## The GP Show URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/the-gp-show/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Dr Sam Manger - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/the-gp-show - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pZZqmYqrvFoxpwrKfAl9N - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-gp-show/id1267681502 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: The GP Show is a respected, evidence-rich podcast hosted by Australian GP and medical educator Dr Sam Manger. It’s designed for health professionals and curious minds alike, offering deep dives into medicine, wellness, and the social determinants of health. - Interviews with global health leaders, psychologists, and researchers - Topics like trauma-informed care, ADHD, lifestyle medicine, and - Practical tools for inclusive, whole-person healthcare --- ## The Hole Shebang URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/the-hole-shebang/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Kristen Parise - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/the-hole-shebang.jpg - infoLink: https://example.com/pelvic-floor-talks-info - purchaseLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/pelvic-floor-talks - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Qjlm6VuV0rqvqwmJlGl0t - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-hole-shebang/id1766397933 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: Brazenly and unashamedly exposing the truth about all things pelvic health including pee, poop, pain and sex and shining a light on our holes in knowledge to help empower us to be healthier, wealthier and wiser. Kristen Parise is a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and owner of Blueberry Therapy a multidisciplinary clinic that specializes in the treatment of pelvic health issues. Kristen’s goal has always been to make sure her clients understand their own bodies and and they have all the tools and information they need to reach their goals. Her passion is the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor and she provides treatment for men and women and children with incontinence, chronic constipation, pelvic pain and women pre and postnatally. Kristen is an avid podcast listener and is excited to bring forward the latest research and information to The Hole Shebang audience. Kristen has a deep interest in research and evidenced based practice and continues to teach at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario to stay current with evolving practice trends. --- ## The midlife strength solution: staying upright, active, and independent URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/the-midlife-strength-solution/ Description: As we get older, our muscle health naturally declines, and as a result, muscle strength and power decrease significantly. At the same time, many people develop more body fat, and in the pursuit of staying fit and well, often turn to restrictive diets in an attempt to lose it. Metadata: - intro: As we get older, our muscle health naturally declines, and as a result, muscle strength and power decrease significantly. At the same time, many people develop more body fat, and in the pursuit of staying fit and well, often turn to restrictive diets in an attempt to lose it. - metaDescription: Combat midlife muscle decline with evidence-based strategies. Learn about protein needs, strength training, and healthy aging for women over 50. - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Rebecca Thompson - authorSlug: rebecca-thompson - featuredImage: rebecca-thompson-feature.jpg - tags: menopause,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: The midlife strength solution: staying upright, active, and independent - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: As we get older, our muscle health naturally declines, and as a result, muscle strength and power decrease significantly. At the same time, many people develop more body fat, and in the pursuit of staying fit and well, often turn to restrictive diets in an attempt to lose it. But here’s the problem: research has shown time and again that crash dieting doesn’t work. Once we stop dieting, we often regain the fat — but more importantly for women in midlife, we lose muscle during dieting and don’t regain it afterwards. That loss of muscle has long-term consequences. ### Why Is This So Important? We need strong, healthy muscles and bones to keep us upright, active, and independent. This becomes even more critical as we age. One in three women over the age of 50 will suffer a hip fracture — a rate far higher than that seen in men. Poor bone health plays a significant role here. The outcomes can be serious: 40% of women never walk unaided again after a hip fracture Women are five times more likely to fracture the other hip within two years[^1] ### What can we do? There is so much we can do to support healthy aging: - Weight-bearing and resistance exercise to strengthen muscles and bones - A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet - Ensuring you’re not deficient in vitamin D, calcium, or iron - Quitting smoking - Reducing alcohol intake - Considering Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) to replace hormones lost during menopause. ### How much protein do we actually need? According to evidence presented at the International Menopause Society Conference in Melbourne (October 2024), women going through the menopause transition require 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Example: A woman weighing 70 kg would need 84 to 105 grams of protein per day. This is significantly more than general guidelines, and many women simply aren’t getting enough — especially if they’re eating smaller meals or skipping them entirely. ### Tips to boost protein intake - Include protein with every meal (think: eggs, Greek yoghurt, legumes, lean meats, tofu, tempeh, fish) - Add protein-rich snacks like nuts, hummus, or boiled eggs - If needed, consider a protein supplement. ### Community-recommended protein supplements Based on feedback from our Embrace Change private Facebook community, some popular protein supplements include: - True Protein - At Health - Mirrabooka Protein These have been tried and tested by women in our group who are prioritising their midlife health. [^1]: Falchetti A., Mohseni M., Tramontana F., Napoli N. (2021), ‘[Secondary prevention of fragility fractures: where do we stand during the COVID-19 pandemic?](https: --- ## The Pelvic Floor Project URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/the-pelvic-floor-project/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Melissa Dessaulas - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse,continence - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/the-pelvic-floor-project.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ge32yNEhc4rnOxsIgcTVv - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-pelvic-floor-project/id1556324013 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIhu0Oqqse1zYnjdShLVdug This podcast is for anyone with a pelvic floor. Pssst….. everyone has a pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles responsible for controlling our bodily functions. I refer to myself as a physiotherapist for embarrassing issues. I routinely help clients address symptoms like incontinence, prolapse, diastasis, pelvic pain, intimacy issues and the list goes on. A theme that stands out to me is how little we learn about our private parts and the muscles surrounding. This podcast is for you if you are interested in learning more about your body. Focused on the female, I cover topics pertinent to puberty, athletics, pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, menopause, surgery and so much more.I promise to share evidence based information through discussion with other health care experts in their field with the goal to showcase a holistic and empowering approach to taking care of the only body you will ever have. I hope you enjoy! --- ## The power of mindset in women's health: how hypnotherapy can transform your journey URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/the-power-of-mindset-in-womens-health/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Discover how hypnotherapy and mindset transformation support women's health. Evidence-based approach to anxiety, depression, and chronic conditions. - publishDate: Wed Sep 03 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Arvinder Virdi - authorSlug: arvinder-virdi - featuredImage: arvinder-eleveld-feature.jpg - tags: continence,prolapse,menopause - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: The power of mindset in women's health: how hypnotherapy can transform your journey - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: When it comes to women's health, every journey is deeply personal. Whether you are navigating hormonal changes, fertility challenges, chronic illness, or the emotional toll of balancing life's many roles, one truth remains: your mindset matters. The way we speak to ourselves and the beliefs we hold about who we are can have a profound effect on both mental and physical health. Many women struggling with health concerns also experience anxiety, depression, sadness, or a loss of engagement with life and others. These feelings can make an already difficult situation feel even heavier. ### Why Mindset Matters in Health Research shows that the mind and body are inseparably linked. The American Psychological Association notes that chronic stress and negative thinking patterns can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, and worsen mental health outcomes. A 2016 study published in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted that 75–98% of mental, physical, and behavioral illnesses come from thought life alone. This means our inner dialogue, beliefs, and subconscious patterns directly shape our emotional and physical wellbeing. For women, cultural pressures, family expectations, and internalized self-criticism can amplify this. Many feel they must "push through," dismissing their emotional needs, which can intensify anxiety and depression over time. ### How Hypnotherapy Helps This is where Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and hypnotherapy can be life changing. Rather than only addressing symptoms, hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind, the place where limiting beliefs and emotional wounds are stored. In hypnosis, the brain naturally shifts into relaxed states (theta and alpha brainwaves) where old, unhelpful patterns can be accessed and gently rewired. This allows women to release deep-seated feelings of "not enoughness," grief, or fear, and replace them with empowering beliefs that support resilience and healing. ### Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Women's Health Issues - Reduces anxiety and depression by calming the nervous system and reshaping thought patterns - Improves emotional regulation, making it easier to cope with stress, sadness, or change - Restores self-worth and self-belief, helping women feel more confident in themselves and their choices - Promotes physical wellbeing, as the mind-body connection supports reduced stress responses, better sleep, and improved overall health A growing body of research supports this: - A 2017 study (International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis) found that hypnotherapy significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing medical treatment - Harvard Medical School research showed that hypnotherapy can create measurable changes in brain activity, improving emotional regulation and stress resilience ### A Personal Journey of Healing What women often discover through RTT is that trauma doesn't have to be "big" to leave an impact. Even subtle messages in childhood — such as criticism, cultural expectations, or feeling invisible — can create patterns of self-doubt that show up later in life as anxiety, depression, or loss of joy. By addressing the root cause rather than just the surface symptoms, hypnotherapy provides a path to not only feel better in the present but to create lasting change for the future. ### Closing Thought Whatever your health journey looks like, it is uniquely yours. And while challenges like anxiety or depression may be part of it, they don't define who you are or what is possible. With the right support, including tools like hypnotherapy, you can rebuild your mindset, reclaim your self-worth, and reconnect with life in a new, empowering way. --- ## The stigma of faecal incontinence URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/the-stigma-of-faecal-incontinence/ Description: We come into this life incontinent, we go out the same. We acknowledge it, we accept it, this is the circle of life. We don’t talk about poop, except when using the word in a moment of anger or frustration in its more popular slang terminology. Metadata: - intro: We come into this life incontinent, we go out the same. We acknowledge it, we accept it, this is the circle of life. We don’t talk about poop, except when using the word in a moment of anger or frustration in its more popular slang terminology. - metaDescription: Breaking the stigma around faecal incontinence. Sherrie Palm's honest story about pelvic organ prolapse and the importance of open conversation. - publishDate: Sun Jul 20 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Sherrie Palm - authorSlug: sherrie-palm - featuredImage: sherrie-palm-feature.jpg - tags: continence - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: The stigma of faecal incontinence - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: We come into this life incontinent, we go out the same. We acknowledge it, we accept it, this is the circle of life. We don’t talk about poop, except when using the word in a moment of anger or frustration in its more popular slang terminology. I can’t remember ever hearing a mom say she was totally creeped out by poop in her baby’s diaper (we don’t “love” it, we simply recognize it’s a normal part of child development). I can’t remember anyone talking about the graphic end of life process in a way that was disrespectful. But what about when something happens in between those two stages? Heaven forbid we talk about faecal incontinence, much less admit it has happened to us. Fecal incontinence absolutely occurs, more frequently than you would imagine - it simply doesn’t get talked about. Way too much stigma. As a pelvic organ prolapse (POP) advocate, incontinence is one of those layers that come with the turf. I’ve written about FI (fecal incontinence) a couple of times, discussed it during radio interviews, had multiple communications over the years with practitioners as well as women in various stages of POP navigating awkward symptoms. I’ve always wondered “what’s the big deal”? Poop is a normal bodily function. Faecal incontinence is the body signalling that something is a bit off kilter. No different than snot when you have a cold. No different than throwing up when you have the flu. No different than bad breath when you have periodontal disease. While we don’t like any of these other bodily functions, we don’t avoid talking about them like they are the plague. So what’s so different about poop? Why can’t we talk about incontinence out loud? Why do we worry so much what others will think of us if it happens to us? Why can’t we discuss poop in open conversation? STIGMA has kept this topic off-limits. That has to change. Someone has to talk about poop out loud and what happens when everything “lets loose” in public. The unmentionable stuff. So let me start the conversation…. My life as a POP advocate means I talk about the unmentionable stuff all the time; it’s necessary in order to generate change. I freely initiate conversations when opportunities present themselves about the aspects of POP that make others squirm, not because I enjoy making others feel uncomfortable, I’m simply trying the lift the veil that has covered POP for thousands of years in order to enable the world to recognize and address it. I look at my body as a “lab rat”, available for experimentation to better understand not only my own dynamic, but also to increase my ability to better recognize the needs of women navigating POP. When I experience something I feel is relevant to my ladies, I can’t wait to share. This is one you’re going to be a bit surprised to read. But not nearly as surprised as I was to experience. For the past year or so I’ve been noticing a subtle loss of contraction both vaginally and rectally. I do all the right stuff, exercise (both internal and external muscles), I have a pretty healthy diet, I check my posture regularly, use bio-identical hormones to optimize both estrogen and testosterone. I monitor MS flags to keep the condition in check. I’ve mentioned my contraction concerns to research connections, I’ve mentioned it to practitioners, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time digging through neurologic pelvic floor research. No one seems to have an answer (I confess I haven’t tried biofeedback yet; I need to fit an appointment into my sideways schedule). My “gut” says my weakened vaginal/rectal contraction has something to do with internal adhesions; I was shocked the last time I had internal MFR (vaginal myofascial release therapy), the improvement in pc contraction was significant and I'm hopeful a treatment or two will do the trick for me again. So…..now onto the part of my story that will get your attention. I went to the airport, excited to leave for Nepal, a vision I’ve had since 2009, but exhausted from the trip and meeting prep I’d worked on in the prior weeks. A few blocks from the airport my stomach started to warn me I’d need to find a bathroom as soon as I got go there; I wasn’t concerned. We parked the car at the curb and my driver helped carry my suitcases inside and then it hit me - I was not going to make it to the bathroom on time. I could feel a tiny bit of poop leaking out; and then while I scanned the room looking for the bathroom, I felt everything bust loose. And I do mean everything. It just kept coming and coming, poop sludge. I quickly mentioned I was pooping my pants and ran for the bathroom. The shoes I’d been breaking in the past week apparently stretched out a bit too much, they kept slipping off my feet threatening to make me fall like a ton of bricks with a load in my pants. Yikesville to say the last. I made it to the bathroom, hit a stall, pulled my dress up and pantyhose and undies down (thank God for pantyhose, my new favorite travel companion) and realized this was not going to be an easy fix. Everything had to come off except my bra. I put my pantyhose into the stall paper garbage bag used for tampons (throwing out runless pantyhose about killed me) then put my undies in the toilet to wash then out (they were brand new), and the automatic flusher kicked in and snatched them right out of my hand and down the toilet. I wish I had a picture of the look on my face (I’m cracking up now just thinking of it, I must have had such a funny shocked/ticked off expression, they were BRAND NEW). At that point all I could think of was get cleaned up, you’ve got a plane to catch to fulfill a dream you’ve been waiting five years to explore. So I stood by the sink in the bathroom, naked from my bra down, cleaning poop from every crevice imaginable. A woman walked in to use the bathroom; I apologized to her for the smell and told her I had an accident in my pants and she said don’t worry about it, that’ll happen sometimes. After she left another woman came in; I again apologized for the mess and she also said don’t worry about it. When she came out of her stall and washed her hands, she asked me there was anything she could do to help. I thanked her profusely and described the person with my suitcase and his location and asked her to have him bring my suitcase with fresh clothes. (Turned out he had followed me to the bathroom and was waiting right outside the door.) He handed me the suitcase; I finished cleaning up, got dressed, and popped an Imodium prior to registering for my flight, asked an attendant to please empty the garbage in the bathroom where I’d used up every paper sanitary garbage bag to contain paper towel washcloths, and was on my way for a two day flight to Nepal. Here’s the important part of the story. Not once during this event was I embarrassed. I was rattled when my bowels first let loose, I was frustrated when my shoes threatened to trip me on the way to the bathroom, I was ticked off when the toilet sucked my brand-new underwear down the toilet, I was grateful the women who came into the bathroom were so understanding. But I was never embarrassed. I’m going to assume it’s because I talk out loud about all aspects of POP every day and feel we all should in order to bring the condition into the 21st century. It confirmed what I’ve been feeling for the past six months-the stigma that drapes the symptoms of POP women find embarrassing is shifting. Yes, incontinence may be a bit easier for me to navigate than others because my life is embedded deeply in the POP arena, but the fact that I responded the way I did tells me that the energy which surrounds me is evolving as well. Change is not coming; it’s already here-we move forward together. --- ## Understanding perimenopause anxiety URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/understanding-perimenopause-anxiety/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: A husband's guide to understanding perimenopause anxiety and supporting your partner. Real insights into mood swings, symptoms, and relationship impact. - publishDate: Fri Aug 01 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: G.S - authorSlug: g-s - featuredImage: g-s-feature.jpg - tags: menopause,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Understanding perimenopause anxiety - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: I never thought I'd be writing about menopause. But here I am, sharing my journey because, honestly, men need to understand this better. When my wife started showing early signs at 33, we were both lost. If you’re a woman reading this, consider sharing it with your male partner—it might help him understand what you’re going through and how he can support you. Menopause isn’t just a “women’s issue,” it impacts relationships, families, and daily life. The more we know, the better we can navigate it together. Every doctor brushed it off, saying, "You are too young.” But with menopause running early in her family, we knew something was up. Doctors asked her about stress and depression, offering her antidepressants and “the pill,” which actually made her feel worse. Her grandmother and mother both experienced menopause early, becoming fully menopausal by 40. It wasn’t until years later that we finally began getting some answers. Now, at 40, she’s in the midst of navigating hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help with her symptoms of menopause, with all the trial and error that comes with it. What I’ve learned through this journey is that menopause isn’t just something that happens to women—it affects relationships, too. From menopause mood swings to sleepless nights, it’s been tough watching someone I love go through something so challenging, feeling powerless at times to make it better. But I’ve also realised that with understanding, patience, and effort, this phase can bring you closer together as a couple. If you’re reading this, you’re probably in a similar place—trying to figure out what’s happening and how you can help. I’ve written this guide to share what I’ve learned and help other men understand how menopause affects relationships and what you can do to support your wife going through menopause. ### What is Menopause and how does it affect women? Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. It occurs when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and significantly reduce the production of reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. For most women, it starts in their 40s or 50s, but for some, like my wife, it can begin much earlier. Menopause is not an illness and is a natural part of aging, but it can cause various physical and emotional changes, some of which may require attention and management. As women age, the number of eggs in their ovaries decrease, and the production of hormones that stimulate their menstrual cycle declines. Understanding the stages of menopause—when it starts and what happens in the body during each period—will help you know what to expect and how you can help your partner with their symptoms. ### Common symptoms women experience Not everyone experiences the same symptoms of menopause, but they can vary widely in both intensity and duration. What men should know about menopause is that, while some women may have mild symptoms that are barely noticeable, others may experience more profound effects that significantly affect their daily lives. #### Physical symptoms: - A sudden feeling of warmth in the face, neck, and chest - Red, blotchy skin - Rapid heartbeat - Sweating, especially on the upper body - A chilled feeling when the hot flush ends - Feelings of anxiety - Hot flashes, episodes of sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body and are usually most intense over the face, neck, and chest, hot flashes can happen 1 to 10 or more times a day, lasting from 30 seconds to 5 minutes and can start a few months or years before a woman’s period stops. In my wife’s case, it started at an unusually early age of 33. #### What can menopause hot flashes cause? Fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, and disrupted normal functions #### Emotional symptoms: Menopause mood swings, anxiety, and even depression are common experiences. However, in my wife's case, the depression may have been present as a consequence of menopause, rather than being the underlying cause of her irregular periods and other symptoms. Hormonal shifts can also significantly impact sexual desire, often leading to a decline that can affect intimacy and relationships. It's worth noting that men experience these challenges too—after all, a billion-dollar industry was built around a little blue pill by Pfizer to address male sexual health. Yet, despite this, discussions about libido, especially among women, remain taboo. While men’s issues in this area are addressed openly and even commercialised, women’s struggles with libido often receive even less attention or acknowledgment. How is that fair? This imbalance reflects a broader societal tendency to sideline women’s health concerns, leaving many women to navigate these changes in silence. It's time to break the stigma and start conversations that normalise and prioritise women’s sexual health. For years, my wife struggled with menopause fatigue and menopause mood swings, often feeling isolated because no one acknowledged her symptoms. Now that we understand what’s happening, I can approach it with empathy instead of frustration. ### How Menopause affects relationships Let me be honest: menopause hasn’t just been hard on my wife—it’s been hard on us. The mood swings hit like a storm, and sometimes, it felt like I couldn’t do anything right. There were days when I thought, “Is this anger directed at me? Am I failing her somehow?” The more I learned about how menopause affects relationships, the more I realised that her emotions weren’t something I needed to “fix.” Instead, I needed to understand and support her through this transition. For husbands, dealing with menopause means learning to navigate mood swings, emotional changes, and physical symptoms with patience, empathy, and understanding. ### Key challenges we faced Menopause Mood Swings and Anxiety: Sudden bursts of anger or sadness were confusing at first, but I learned these were symptoms of menopause and anxiety, not something my wife had control of. Menopause Fatigue and Stress: Her energy levels dropped, making even simple tasks feel exhausting. Changes in Physical Intimacy: Hormonal shifts affected her libido, which sometimes led to feelings of insecurity on my part. By acknowledging these challenges and working through them together, we’ve been able to strengthen our bond rather than let these changes drive us apart. ### How I’ve learned to help my wife through Menopause Over the years, I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but I’ve also learned how to better support my wife. Here are some things that worked for us: 1. Be Patient and Empathetic Sometimes, different emotions like frustration, stress, sadness, or even anger toward husbands can arise during menopause, and when that happens, it can be easy to take things personally. But I’ve learned to step back, remind myself it’s not about me, and respond with patience. 2. Encourage Open Communication We’ve created a safe space where she feels comfortable sharing what she’s going through. I make it a point to listen without judgment and ask how I can help. 3. Help Manage Physical Symptoms From lowering the thermostat during menopause night sweats to encouraging healthy routines, small adjustments have made a big difference. 4. Support Her Emotional Health I’ve encouraged her to seek professional help when symptoms like menopause and depression or menopause and anxiety felt overwhelming. These actions, though small, have helped us navigate this phase with more ease and understanding. ### Taking care of myself What most menopause tips for husbands usually don’t say is that it’s important to prioritise your own mental and emotional wellbeing, too. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Think of it like the instructions on an airplane: when the oxygen masks drop, you’re told to secure your own mask first before helping others. The same principle applies here—taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s essential. Whether that means carving out time for your hobbies, seeking advice from friends or professionals, or simply finding moments to recharge, prioritising your wellbeing ensures you have the capacity and energy to support your partner effectively. By being at your best, you can offer the patience, understanding, and compassion your partner needs during this transformative phase of life. **Educate yourself:** Understanding what husbands need to know about menopause, including common symptoms like hot flashes or fatigue, has helped me approach her experiences with more empathy. **Talk to Others:** Joining online forums or talking to friends who’ve been in similar situations has been a great source of support. **Practise Self-Care:** Taking time to recharge has made me a more present and patient partner. ### Why supporting your partner through Menopause matters At first, menopause felt like something that was happening to her. But I’ve come to realise that it’s something we’re going through together. Helping your partner manage symptoms like menopausal mood swings or menopause and depression isn’t just about helping her—it’s about strengthening our relationship. This phase has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of communication. While challenging, it’s also an opportunity to grow closer and show up for your partner in ways that truly matter. ### Final thoughts Menopause is a natural transition, but it can feel overwhelming for both partners. By educating yourself about symptoms like menopause hot flashes and menopause fatigue, practising empathy, and offering support, you can help your partner navigate this phase with confidence. For me, the hardest part has been watching someone I love go through something so difficult. But it’s also been a privilege to stand by her side, learn how to support her and grow stronger as a couple. If you’re in this phase with your partner, remember it’s not about fixing things. It’s about listening, understanding, and being there every step of the way. Together, you can come out of this stronger and more connected. ### Reach out for professional help If you and your partner need professional support, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Speaking to a healthcare provider or a therapist can provide valuable guidance during this transition. --- ## Vaginal pessaries: a game-changing solution for pelvic organ prolapse URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/vaginal-pessaries-a-game-changing-solution-for-pelvic-organ-prolapse/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Discover vaginal pessaries: effective prolapse treatment with 70-90% success rates. Conservative, reversible alternative to surgery with immediate relief. - publishDate: Fri Aug 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Kristen Parise - authorSlug: kristen-parise - featuredImage: kristen-parise-feature.jpg - tags: prolapse,prolapse,continence - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Vaginal pessaries: a game-changing solution for pelvic organ prolapse - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Discover how this simple, effective device could transform your prolapse symptoms and give you back control over your pelvic health. If you've recently been told you have pelvic organ prolapse, you're probably feeling overwhelmed with questions and concerns. The good news? You have more treatment options than you might think, and one of the most effective solutions might surprise you with its simplicity. Let's talk about vaginal pessaries – a conservative treatment that's helping women worldwide reclaim their comfort, confidence, and quality of life. ### What exactly is pelvic organ prolapse? Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues that support your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and bowel) become weakened or stretched. This causes one or more of these organs to drop down into the vaginal space, creating that uncomfortable feeling of "something coming down." You might experience: - A bulge or pressure in your vagina - A dragging sensation in your pelvis - Difficulty emptying your bladder completely - Bowel movement challenges - Lower back or pelvic pain - Changes in sexual comfort Here's what's important to know: **you're not alone**. Research shows that up to 65% of women may experience some degree of prolapse during their lifetime, with symptoms becoming more noticeable as we age or after childbirth. While only about 21% find their symptoms truly bothersome, if you're reading this, you're likely in that group seeking solutions. ### Enter the vaginal pessary: your conservative treatment champion A vaginal pessary is a removable device made of medical-grade silicone or plastic that's inserted into your vagina to support your prolapsed organs. Think of it as a personalized internal support system that holds everything in its proper place. Why pessaries are such excellent news: - Immediate relief: Unlike surgery, pessaries can provide symptom relief right away - Reversible: You can try it without any permanent changes to your body - Highly effective: Research shows that 70-90% of women experience significant symptom relief - Long-term success: Most women who report successful pessary use at 4 weeks continue using them at 5 years - May prevent progression: Some studies suggest pessaries might actually help prevent your prolapse from getting worse over time ### Myth-busting: let's set the record straight **Myth #1: "You have to be old to use a pessary"** **Truth:** Women of all ages successfully use pessaries! Whether you're 35 or 75, if you have prolapse symptoms, a pessary could be right for you. **Myth #2: "Anyone with incontinence or prolapse can automatically use a pessary"** **Truth:** While most women can be successfully fitted with a pessary (up to 75% according to research), it does require proper assessment and fitting by a trained healthcare provider to ensure the right type and size for your specific anatomy. **Myth #3: "Pessaries are just a temporary fix while you wait for surgery"** **Truth:** Pessaries can absolutely be used as your primary, long-term treatment! Many women choose pessaries instead of surgery and use them successfully for years. Remember, surgery has a 30-50% failure rate, while pessaries offer immediate, reversible relief. **Myth #4: "You can't manage a pessary yourself"** **Truth:** This is one of the biggest misconceptions! While some women prefer clinic-based care, many can learn to remove, clean, and reinsert their pessaries themselves. Self-management gives you complete control over your treatment and eliminates the need for frequent clinic visits. **Myth #5: "Pessaries will ruin your sex life"** **Truth:** Many women actually report improved sexual satisfaction after starting pessary use! Ring pessaries can often be left in place during intercourse, and research shows that 79% of sexually active women report improvement in sexual symptoms or enhanced relationships with their partners after using a pessary. ### What to expect during your pessary fitting appointment Knowledge is power, so here's what typically happens during a pessary fitting: #### Before your appointment: - Your healthcare provider will assess your prolapse type and severity - They'll discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and treatment goals - A pelvic examination will determine the best pessary type for you #### During the fitting: - Your provider will try different pessary sizes and types to find your perfect fit - You'll learn how the pessary should feel when properly positioned - Don't worry if it takes more than one visit – getting the right fit is crucial! - You'll be taught how to check if the pessary is in the correct position #### Testing your fit: - You'll be asked to walk around, cough, and bear down to ensure the pessary stays in place - The pessary should feel comfortable and shouldn't cause pain or significant pressure - You should be able to urinate normally with it in place #### Follow-up care: - Initial follow-up appointments help ensure everything is working well - You'll learn about care and maintenance (and possibly self-management!) - Regular check-ins help optimize your treatment ### Types of pessaries: finding your perfect match **Ring Pessary:** The most commonly used type, perfect for mild to moderate prolapse. It's comfortable, easy to insert and remove, and can often be left in place during intercourse. **Cube Pessary:** Excellent for women who have difficulty retaining other types of pessaries. It uses suction to stay in place and is particularly good for more advanced prolapse. **Gellhorn Pessary**: The go-to choice for advanced uterine prolapse. It provides excellent support for more severe cases and has a high success rate. Your healthcare provider will help determine which type is best based on your specific prolapse, anatomy, and lifestyle needs. ### The life-changing benefits you can expect Research consistently shows remarkable improvements in quality of life for pessary users: - **90% of women** experience relief from that uncomfortable bulging sensation - **70% improvement** in pressure symptoms - **Significant reduction** in urinary difficulties (40-97% improvement in obstructive voiding) - **Better bowel function** with 28% improvement in difficult evacuation - **Enhanced daily activities** – you can exercise, work, and care for your family comfortably - **Improved sleep and energy** when you're not dealing with constant discomfort ### Taking control: self-management is possible One of the most empowering aspects of pessary treatment is that many women can learn to manage their pessary independently. Self-management means: - Removing your pessary at home for cleaning - Reinserting it yourself when ready - Having complete control over your treatment schedule - Reducing the need for frequent clinic visits - Greater flexibility for travel, intimacy, and daily activities Recent research shows that women who self-manage their pessaries report excellent outcomes with minimal complications – giving you the freedom to take charge of your own pelvic health. Your next steps: taking action If you're intrigued by the possibility of pessary treatment, here's how to move forward: 1. **Talk to your physician** about pessary options during your next appointment 2. **Consult with a pelvic health physiotherapist** who can assess your pelvic floor and discuss conservative treatment options 3. **Ask for a referral** to a healthcare provider experienced in pessary fitting if your current provider doesn't offer this service 4. **Don't accept "surgery is your only option"** – pessaries are a valid first-line treatment for pelvic organ prolapse ### The bottom line: you have options Pelvic organ prolapse doesn't have to control your life. Vaginal pessaries offer an effective, conservative treatment that can provide immediate relief while giving you complete control over your care. With success rates of 70-90% for symptom relief and the possibility of preventing prolapse progression, pessaries represent hope, empowerment, and a return to the activities you love. Remember, most women who find success with pessaries at 4 weeks are still happily using them 5 years later. That's not just treatment – that's transformation. Ready to explore pessary treatment? Reach out to healthcare providers experienced in pelvic health, such as specialized pelvic health physiotherapists at clinics like Blueberry Therapy, who can guide you through your options and help you reclaim your pelvic health. ### Want to learn even more? Check out [Episode 21 of The Hole Shebang podcast](https: The evidence is clear: you don't have to live with prolapse symptoms, and you don't have to rush into surgery. Pessaries offer a proven, conservative path to relief – and your journey to feeling like yourself again could start with a simple conversation with your healthcare provider. --- ## Viva la vulva URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/viva-la-vulva/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Kath Mazella's powerful advocacy story after vulvar cancer survival. Breaking taboos around vulvar health and promoting accurate medical terminology. - publishDate: Tue Aug 12 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Kath Mazella OAM - authorSlug: kath-mazella - featuredImage: kath-mazella-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Viva la vulva - headingDescription: At the age of 39, I faced the diagnosis of vulvar cancer, an uncommon cancer usually described as affecting postmenopausal women. Surviving a radical vulvectomy 30 years ago was just the beginning of my journey. This surgery involved removal of my clitoris, vulva, and groin lymph glands due to vulvar cancer, an experience that profoundly altered my life. The subsequent six weeks of pelvic radiation therapy induced menopause at the age of 42. I cannot begin to describe those first two years and discovering the taboos and stigmas associated with the word ‘vulva’. ### Finding connection Coincidentally, I met with a woman who experienced the same diagnosis and journey eight months previously. I remember this meeting so well, she lifted her dress, and I lifted mine and there we realised, we were on the same page. We had both requested our medical professionals to connect us with others battling vulvar cancer, but we had both been advised against doing so because ‘it would be too depressing’. There were no support groups for women navigating the post-operative journey after radical vulvectomy. This was my turning point. Feeling all alone and ostracised by society I placed an advertisement in a women’s magazine seeking others with whom I could talk. I received 38 responses, from women all over Australia, facing the same sense of isolation and embarrassment that I was experiencing. This compelled me to try to understand what made women fearful of speaking out about their symptoms and diagnosis. At the time, most women did not know the difference between ‘vagina’ and ‘vulva’. How could they, when even gynaecological cancer brochures did not include a diagram or picture of a vulva. In 2005, I presented my story to the New South Wales Cancer Council questioning the absence of a diagram of a vulva in their brochures. They took my feedback on board and have since updated their brochure to include a vulva that is appropriately represented. Other states followed suit. Sadly though, even today, reproductive health brochures, aimed at women, often have diagrams of the uterus, cervix and vagina but they do not include a vulva. I have made it my mission to increase awareness of vulvar cancer, among both women as well as health professionals, by destigmatising the use of correct terminology. ### Misdiagnosis and medical gaps I have been told that vulvar cancer is rare and often diagnosed late because of its ‘intimate’ nature. 1 Of these, many are young, like I was when I received my diagnosis, and many die of this devastating cancer because of the late diagnosis. And it is not just vulvar cancer. It is also other vulvar conditions like lichen sclerosus, another condition that gets overlooked despite one in 80 women suffering from it. Women themselves feel embarrassed to ask for help for vulvar issues. Medical professionals can also be reluctant to examine the vulva. When they do, they often lack the knowledge and experience to accurately diagnose vulvar conditions. I often hear from women how they were misdiagnosed as having thrush instead of lichen sclerosus or cancer of the vulva. ### Campaigns for change My entire life, since my diagnosis, has been focused on empowering women to embrace their bodies, especially their vulvas, and have open conversations about vulval symptoms like itching, discharge, skin discolouration, and lumps and bumps, and to seek help early. I want health professionals to take women’s symptoms seriously, to expand their knowledge of vulval diseases and educate women on vulval health. I feel we can only do this if we use accurate terminology, hence my insistence on using the word ‘vulva’. Not vagina, vulva. When I first started to talk about the vulva, I was told it was an offensive word, and that it would be better to say ‘vagina’. That made no sense to me. The vagina and vulva are two different parts of the body. One is internal, the other is external. We do not call a man’s penis his testicles! How can women talk about their body accurately if they do not know the correct words to use? Hence, I started my ‘Red Knickers’ campaign with the tagline ‘Viva la Vulva’ and advocated for 10 September to be celebrated as International Gynaecological Awareness Day (IGAD). King Edward Memorial Hospital in Western Australia has celebrated IGAD for the past nine years. My advocacy has been recognised with many awards, but awards are superfluous in the absence of action. In 2018, I was selected as Western Australia Senior Australian of the Year. This only spurred me to continue my advocacy. Despite the challenges, and being a multiple award recipient, I remain steadfast in my mission to ensure that women with vulvar health issues receive the attention and care they deserve and that research into vulvar cancer receives the same funding as breast cancer or ovarian cancers. My journey is a testament to the resilience and determination necessary to effect change in this critical area of women’s health. This is a new world with women demanding old stigmas and taboos be broken. It is time to shine a light on this silent suffering, and I will continue to be the voice of women who are afraid to speak out about vulvar issues. ### Viva la vulva --- ## Vulval cancer URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/vulval-cancer/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Clare Baumhauer's courageous journey through vulval cancer diagnosis and treatment. A story of resilience, misdiagnosis, and raising awareness. - publishDate: Tue Aug 19 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Clare Baumhauer - authorSlug: clare-baumhauer - featuredImage: clare-baumhauer-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: Vulval cancer - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Clare Baumhauer is a courageous UK-based advocate who co-founded Lichen Sclerosus & Vulval Cancer UK Awareness alongside Emma Norman. Her story is one of deep resilience, having endured decades of misdiagnosis before finally receiving a diagnosis of lichen sclerosus and vulval cancer in her 30s. In March 2016 I was told I could have Vulval Cancer. I walked out the surgery to my husband who was waiting in the car with my son, I was trying really hard not to cry. I needed to get home. I remember feeling sick and holding back the tears so my son didn’t ask what was wrong, he is only 11 and has autism so wouldn’t understand, hell I didn’t understand! I had never heard of vulval cancer, I didn’t even know the outside area was called your Vulva. I got home and then told my husband what the doctor said, he looked shocked. I had to wait for a call for an appointment to see a gynaecologist and have a biopsy. I was told it should be within 2 weeks. I was sure it was cancer and as I had the symptoms and ulcer nearly a year so thought that it must of spread! I told myself I had weeks maybe months to live. I came to terms with death quite easy, until I thought about my family, I wouldn’t see my son and daughter grow up, get married or have kids. Help them in life. I then thought back to how I felt when I found out my mum had cancer and what it was like when she died. I realised how scared she must of been and how I felt when I was told. I didn’t want my kids to go through that. The next few weeks were a blur! I decided to sort all my stuff out so my daughter and husband didn’t have to. I packed up most of my stuff in my bedroom and sorted through all my clothes. My poor husband made about 4 trips to the tip. I took my daughter shopping and brought her lots of things, I nearly brought a couple things for myself then thought what’s the point I won’t be here to use them. I had my biopsy which was a day before my birthday. Only my husband knew, which was hard to act normal around others. I thought that would be my last birthday. I arranged my funeral in my head, found flowers and a coffin I liked and saved them on my phone. I would go for a bath most nights and just sit and cry as that was the place I didn’t hold it all in. I got my biopsy results of Lichen Sclerosus (again I had never heard that condition before either) and squamous cell carcinoma (Vulva cancer). I then had to have PET scans and MRI and wait for the results to see if it had spread. I had convinced myself it had and was having symptoms of bladder and bowel cancer. The next couple weeks seemed to go so slow but finally got the results that it hadn’t spread and surgery was in 2 weeks time to remove the tumour and sentinel nodes biopsy to test if it had gone to my lymph nodes as scans were unclear in seeing cancer in nodes. What a relief! It hadn’t spread and was stage 1b. Then the symptoms I was having all went! Surprising what you can imagine and tricks your body. I had a plan of treatment and was feeling positive and so much better. I now told my 16 year old daughter which was the hardest thing I’ve had to do! She had already lost her nan to cancer. I decided not to tell my son as he wouldn’t understand and as having autism has no empathy. I then started to tell the rest of my family and friends. I wasn’t scared or worried about the Operation just wanted it over. Surgery went ok but from my scan to operation the tumour grew aggressively so was too close to my bum to get clear margins so had to have radiotherapy to make sure. The lymph node biopsy came back clear. I stayed in hospital for 5 days and once home I had to lay in bed mostly for 4 weeks as sitting was too painful especially as all my stitches came out so took longer to heal but it was ok. Once I had healed enough I started 5 weeks of radiotherapy (August 2016) which wasn’t easy. I was tired all the time and had bowel problems and my skin on the inside of my groins started to go red and hot then the skin started to come off and weep. I found walking painful and the journey up to London on the train during the hot weather extremely hard. But I did it! After a few weeks I went back to work and tried to get back to normal but my scan showed a node was still swollen from a previous scan so they decided in December 2016 to remove more nodes to check. They removed 6 lymph nodes from my left groin and 3 came back cancerous. I was devastated again! It had already been 9 months and I was going to have to have more radiation on both left and right nodes plus my abdomen to make sure. I spent New Year’s Eve weekend in hospital because I got cellulitis while on holiday and had 2 more Operations on my groin so spent most of January 2017 in hospital because I had many problems getting the infection under control and had to have the groin drain put back in. I then started my second lot of radiotherapy in March 2017. 33 sessions over 8 weeks. I knew what to expect this time and as it was higher up walking this time was much easier. Still having bowel problems and so tired all the time. By the time I had my next scan it had been 16 months of scans and treatment and finally in July 2017 I was given the all clear! In remission, cancer free. It had spread to my lymph nodes so I beat stage 3 vulval cancer! Yes I was happy and relieved but I had been on autopilot the last 16 months so now it was over? I can get back to normal? No, now I have to deal with the side affects of the surgery’s and the radiation. It put me straight into the menopause, I then had lymphedema confirmed in my legs, pelvis and abdomen. I have nerve damage and pain in my left groin , still have bowel problems and is tired all the time But yes I beat cancer! For now! I still have Lichen Sclerosus which is the skin condition that caused my cancer and was left untreated for many years as seems I’ve had since a child but numerous times was missed and misdiagnosed as cystitis and thrush multiple times over the years. I had swabs and blood tests but Lichen Sclerosus was never mentioned. If a doctor or nurse had recognised the symptoms I would have been diagnosed much earlier and been using the steroid, so I might not have got cancer as there is only a 5% chance of Lichen Sclerosus turning to cancer if the skin is left to thicken, and the cancer would not of had time to spread to stage 3 Cancer. I would not have had to have radiation which caused all my life changing side affects. If I had known about LS and Vulval cancer I would have gone back to the doctors and not given up going. If I hadn’t seen all the adverts for thrush and vagisil for vaginal itching and thinking this must be normal. If the nurses that did my smear tests had been trained in LS and vulval cancer. If midwives had also been trained in LS and Vulval cancer then it would have been diagnosed on one of the multiple times I’ve seen a nurse or midwife. It’s now been 1 year since I was given the all clear but life hasn’t gone back to normal it never will. I have to find my new normal and accept every new sore or red area or pain that it Could be back! I worry that other symptoms are a different cancer. Worry every scan they find something. Feels like a ticking time bomb. Worry that my family will get cancer too. ### The depression and bad days I still go for a bath and have a good cry. The guilt you have for surviving and others don’t. The anger of so little awareness of both conditions. Why the medical profession don’t know or misdiagnose. Just because it is commonly in the older women they dismiss it if you're younger. So now I’m trying to raise awareness as much as I can especially as Vulval cancer doesn’t have any charity’s of there own or a Awareness day/week of its own or official ribbon or any celebrities to help or have tea party’s. More awareness and research is needed in LS, VIN, Vulval and Vaginal cancer. I don’t want anyone to go through what I have and am still going through. Nurses and GP’s need training in All these conditions especially those that do smear tests. Vulva cancer needs it’s own awareness week to make any impact. More Research is needed I like to help who ever I can, whether is tips, support or just someone to talk to who is going through the same as you. We need to use the word Vulva more! --- ## What does 'Success' really mean in pelvic organ prolapse surgery? URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/what-does-success-really-mean-in-pelvic-organ-prolapse-surgery/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Understanding pelvic organ prolapse surgery success beyond statistics. Define your goals, recurrence rates, and quality of life expectations. - publishDate: Wed Sep 10 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Margo Kwiatkowski - authorSlug: margo-kwiatkowski - featuredImage: margo-kwiatkowski-feature.jpg - tags: continence,prolapse,pelvic-health - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: What does 'Success' really mean in pelvic organ prolapse surgery? - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: When discussing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with patients, the number one question I hear is: What is the success rate? It's a valid question. If you're considering undergoing major surgery for prolapse, you want to know the chance of improvement or resolution of your symptoms. Here's the tricky part: before we can break down the success rates, we have to define what "success" actually means. ## What Is Considered A Successful Outcome After Prolapse Surgery? Success in older research studies was defined strictly by anatomical improvement. The patient outcomes were deemed successful if the prolapse was completely resolved after the repair. That means the severity of prolapse was graded as stage 0 or 1 on the POP-Q scale. The difficulty with this success indicator is that a large number of women still have a visible prolapse bulge after the surgery. Even more challenging is the fact that the prolapse stage is not correlated with symptom severity. In other words, just because your anatomy looks "better" on paper doesn't always mean you feel better. Other studies define success by symptom relief: no more bulge sensation, fewer bladder and bowel issues, improved comfort with intimacy, or being able to exercise without symptoms. This is a much better indicator of success because it values the person and their perception as to whether the surgery was efficacious. This is why asking about "success rates" is more complicated than it sounds. Success can mean different things to different people, and it's important to know what definition is being used before quoting statistics. ### Setting Your Goals Before Prolapse Surgery One of the most important steps before deciding on surgery is clarifying your personal goals. Ask yourself: - Do I want to reduce the stage of my prolapse? - Do I want to become symptom-free? - Do I want to return to work, exercise, or intimacy without discomfort? Having clarity around your goals matters because it sets realistic expectations. Prolapse surgery might improve anatomy without completely eliminating symptoms—or the reverse. When you know your priorities, it makes surgical decisions easier and conversations with your surgeon more productive. ### Prolapse Surgery Recurrence Rates The second most common question I hear is: Will my prolapse come back after surgery? This is where recurrence rates come in. But keep in mind: - Different procedures have different recurrence rates - Different doctors have varying recurrence/success rates - An individual's medical history greatly influences recurrence including: levator ani avulsions, hypermobility disorders, unresolved chronic constipation, chronic cough, etc. - Surgeons use different definitions of "recurrence." Most surgeons are not following their patients long-term so they cannot confidently claim their procedures have 20 year success rates - Hormone status is an important consideration because someone in menopause who has not used hormone replacements has lower quality vaginal tissues than someone in their late 30s Understanding the nuances helps you approach surgery realistically, knowing it may not be a once-in-a-lifetime fix. ### Prolapse Surgery and Quality of Life Prolapse is about more than the visible bulge. It can impact your bladder and bowel health, your sex life, your ability to lift, run, or even just go about daily tasks comfortably. Arguably the most important questions to ask is: Will surgery improve my quality of life? For many people, the answer is yes. Research on quality of life after prolapse surgery shows improvements in daily function, comfort, and confidence. But what matters most is how you personally define quality of life—it could mean playing with your kids without leaking, exercising without pressure, or simply feeling like yourself again. ## Why Choose Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Not everyone jumps straight to surgery. Many people try pelvic floor physical therapy, lifestyle strategies, or pessaries first. Prolapse can often be well managed conservatively with the right exercises, diet changes, and pressure management considerations. A well experienced physical therapist can guide you in these strategies. Even so, some women have tried everything, and are still bothered by their prolapse symptoms. Maybe pessaries don't fit your anatomy, or they just don't feel right for you. Or maybe you're simply tired of dealing with prolapse and want a more definitive option. Choosing surgery isn't a failure—it's just another tool to restore function and improve your quality of life. ### The Bottom Line on POP Surgery There's no universal definition of success in prolapse surgery. The numbers can give you part of the story, but what really matters is: - How YOU define success for yourself - Whether your goals align with the procedure being recommended - What the research says about recurrence rates and quality of life improvements Before making a decision about pelvic organ prolapse surgery, take time to: - Define your goals - Understand the definitions behind the statistics - Ask your surgeon about both short- and long-term outcomes - And always—get multiple opinions You deserve to feel informed and empowered as you make this decision for your body, your health, and your quality of life. --- ## Why Mum's Don't Jump URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/resources/podcasts/why-mums-dont-jump/ Metadata: - subtitle: - author: Helen Ledwick - publishDate: Tue Sep 16 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - tags: prolapse - category: podcast - image: /images/reviews/podcasts/why-mums-dont-jump.jpg - infoLink: - purchaseLink: - draft: false - spotifyLink: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PSOIKwyVj0RcwAkQ9Ysxl - appleLink: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-mums-dont-jump/id1507937343 - googleLink: - youtubeLink: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFWOmtJ1uXxZ22zHPZ4olQ One woman’s mission to end the stigma around leaks and lumps after childbirth. Honest chat about incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain. Not a trampoline in sight. Hosted by Helen Ledwick. --- ## Why pelvic pain isn’t all in your head — and what you can do about it URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/why-pelvic-pain-isnt-all-your-head/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Pelvic pain is real, not 'in your head'. Jersey specialist explains causes, treatments, and evidence-based strategies for chronic pelvic pain management. - publishDate: Sun Sep 07 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Alex Frankham - authorSlug: alex-frankham - featuredImage: alex-frankham-feature.jpg - tags: pelvic-health,continence - draft: false - hcp: true - headingTitle: Why pelvic pain isn’t all in your head — and what you can do about it - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: Pelvic pain is real, not 'all in your head.' Learn from a pelvic pain specialist physiotherapist in Jersey about causes, treatments, and evidence-based strategies to manage chronic pelvic pain. If you've ever been told your pelvic pain is "just stress" or something you need to learn to live with, you're not alone. Around the world, women with chronic pelvic pain face long delays in diagnosis, limited treatment options, and the burden of not being believed. But here's the truth: pelvic pain is real, complex, and treatable with the right support. I'm Alex Frankham, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Persistent Pelvic Pain, Director of [Physio.je](https: This blog is for you: to help you understand why pelvic pain is not "all in your head," why it's often misunderstood, and what steps you can take today. ### Why Pelvic Pain Is Often Misunderstood Despite being common, pelvic pain in women remains a highly under-recognized health challenge worldwide. Research shows pelvic pain is often overlooked even in medical education the FIGO–IPPS consensus statement highlights the global unmet needs of women with chronic pelvic pain, pointing out major gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and support leaving clinicians underprepared to help. The result? Too many women are dismissed, told their symptoms are "in their head," or passed between specialists without answers. ### What Causes Pelvic Pain? Pelvic pain is not caused by one thing — it's usually an interplay of factors, again another reason why people and clinicians cannot give one solution, or that every person has the same problem and same recipe to help them. Pelvic pain could be caused by specific medical conditions such as: - Gynaecological conditions of endometriosis, adenomyosis, or post-surgical adhesions - Bladder and bowel conditions such as interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome - Pelvic floor dysfunction, where the muscles are not functioning at their best and may be overly reactive - Neuro-immune system sensitivity, this is complicated but essentially pain pathways can become overactive, amplifying discomfort – the body is more sensitive – like a fire alarm going off and calling the fire brigade just because you made toast in the toaster! - Hormonal and inflammatory influences - cyclical pain which may be linked to menstruation or inflammation and can overtime perpetuate more inflammation - Emotional and social context – this is not saying "it's in your head" but there is empirical evidence that stress, trauma, or not being believed can worsen pain perception The important thing is that pelvic pain is real. It is not "all in your head." Instead, it is a whole-body experience where both body and brain play a role. ### What Helps: Evidence-Based Approaches The EAU Guidelines on Chronic Pelvic Pain recommend a multidisciplinary approach — meaning the best results often come from a combination of strategies. #### 1. Medical Specialists To help with specific pharmacology (not all medicines help), ensuring the most appropriate investigations (MRI, USS, blood tests) have been undertaken, and undertaking relevant surgery following detailed investigations. #### 2. Specialist Physiotherapy Pelvic health physiotherapists can help with muscle tension, posture, breathing, and safe, guided movement and pacing, instead of "boom and bust" (doing too much on good days, then crashing), pacing activities builds confidence and resilience. Yoga, Pilates, or tailored exercise can help. #### 3. Pain Education Learning about how the nervous system processes pain can change how you respond to flare-ups, reducing fear and anxiety. #### 4. Multidisciplinary Support This may include gynaecologists, urologists, dietitians, psychologists, pain specialists, psychosexual therapists working together. #### 5. Emotional Support and Self-Compassion Living with pelvic pain is tough. Recognising the emotional toll and seeking support is part of healing. ### Finding Hope with Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain may feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. With the right care, many women find ways to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and feel more at home in their bodies again. At [Physio.je](https: If you're struggling for support or being believed, explore trusted resources like the [EAU Chronic Pelvic Pain Guidelines](https: ### References Coxon, L., Horne, A.W. and Vincent, K., 2022. Identifying gaps in pelvic pain education: A scoping review and structured analysis of obstetrics and gynecology training milestones. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 227(3), pp.440–448. EAU, 2025. EAU Guidelines on Chronic Pelvic Pain. European Association of Urology. Available at: https: ESHRE, 2022. ESHRE guideline: endometriosis. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Available at: https: FIGO & IPPS, 2021. Addressing the global unmet needs of women with chronic pelvic pain. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 155(1), pp.1–6. NICE, 2025. Endometriosis: diagnosis and management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Available at: https: --- ## You only get ten minutes URL: https://www.womenshealthpathway.com/blogs/you-only-get-ten-minutes/ Metadata: - intro: - metaDescription: Raelene Ristevski's story of menopause misdiagnosis and dismissive healthcare. Why women deserve proper support, not just 'ten minutes' for complex symptoms. - publishDate: Fri Sep 05 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - author: Raelene Ristevski - authorSlug: raelene - featuredImage: raelene-feature.jpg - tags: menopause - draft: false - hcp: false - headingTitle: You only get ten minutes - headingSubtitle: - headingDescription: I didn’t know I was menopausal. I just knew something was changing, and not in a gentle way. My moods were unpredictable, my nights were spent fighting with the covers, my bones ached, and my brain felt like fog. I found it hard to concentrate. I couldn’t explain it. I just knew I didn’t feel like myself. So, I did what we’re all told to do: I booked an appointment with my family GP. I explained my symptoms, night sweats, poor concentration, aching joints, mood swings and waited for guidance. Instead, my doctor looked directly at me and said, “You only get 10 minutes. Next time, come in with just one symptom.” There was no mention of hormones. No suggestion that this could be menopause. In fact, he didn’t even ask about my cycle. Just handed me a prescription for antidepressants, with no mention of a follow up appointment. I walked out feeling even sadder than when I walked in. I wasn’t offered information. I wasn’t offered support. I wasn’t offered a conversation about what was happening to my body. I was offered medication to “get me through.” I never filled the prescription. Not because I didn’t need help, but because I needed the right help. I needed someone to say, “This is normal. This is hormonal. This is menopause.” Instead, I turned inward. I read what I could. I meditated. I journaled. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t enough. But it was all I knew. And it was a lonely time. Why am I sharing this??? Because I know I’m not the only one. Too many women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or medicated without context. Too many are left to navigate menopause alone, without education, without support, and without language for what they’re experiencing. I created Women’s Health Pathway, to offer what I didn’t receive. A space where women’s Health is understood and supported and spoken about freely. To bring together, evidence based resources, podcasts, blogs, and peer stories that speak with clarity, compassion and without judgement. ---