Pelvic floor expert reveals secrets for a healthier bladder and stronger pelvic floor (The Best of The Menopause Movement Podcast Episode 116)
When I did a TV show a few years ago, there was a French woman who had moved from France to Santa Barbara. She talked about how she leaked all the time, and she couldn't run because she would just pee her pants. And I thought, “There's got to be a way for her to get help.” This reminds me of women suffering in silence and the fact that doctors don't understand female anatomy. To put on my empathy hat, as a surgeon, it’s true that doctors don't get any education in menopause at all (not even in nutrition). At least that’s what’s happening in America. I didn't get any training in anatomy, (vaginal anatomy was not stressed as much as the male anatomy) and the pelvic floor. There was also no discussion about the trauma of childbirth. So here’s a quick patriarchy talk: Penis is a word that we consider to be… well just penis. But when it comes to vagina, this face pops up in my brain: And I have to unlearn that along with all the things that came from my childhood, because as a woman helping women live their best lives, I want to say that there is always hope… Even if as young girls, we were never taught that the knight in shining armor on the white horse is really YOU. With the whole Cinderella complex and the media telling us that healing is outside of ourselves, 30 million women are suffering from chronic pelvic pain, with debilitating symptoms like urine leaking, painful sex, prolapse, and weak or non-existent orgasms. And almost nobody ever wants to talk about it. But Isa Herrera and I will. In today’s episode of The Best of The Menopause Movement Podcast, I’m with a licensed physical therapist as well as an expert in integrated pelvic floor therapies, Isa Herrera as we show you how to give your lady parts the first aid and love that they need to be happy. Isa pioneered the use of integrative modalities like Maya massage, cold laser therapy, sound healing and Andean energy techniques with evidence-based physical therapy in ways that had never been done before. She's also the author of five books on the topics of pelvic floor dysfunction and pain, including the international bestseller, Female Pelvic Alchemy. After suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction herself after her daughter was born, Isa has made it her life's mission to help 1 million women overcome pelvic floor dysfunction. During the podcast, we discussed the trauma of childbirth and her path to pelvic pain relief PLUS: How the medical profession doesn't really understand the female pelvic floor France versus the USA and postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation Shame and speaking up especially about female issues Is there a magic pill to fix the pelvic floor? What happens with prolapse and leakage? The body as a map to help What to do to improve your libido and vaginal dryness The pelvic floor and constipation And stay to the end to find out how sexual trauma can be stored in the pelvic floor. Discussion Points: [0:00] Introduction [6:25] Isa shares about how she became a pelvic floor specialist [11:26] How doctors have limited knowledge about the female anatomy [12:40] France vs. America and postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation [17:08] A strong pelvic floor is important [17:57] Women want the magical pill but the answer is within us [19:26] Prolapse and how to deal with it [25:00] Invest in yourself [28:14] Loss of libido and what you can do now [31:38] Vaginal dryness [34:31] Food and how it affects your vagina [36:12] Sexual trauma and how Isa helps her clients [40:37] Digestive health and the pelvic floor About the Guest: Isa Herrera is a licensed physical therapist as well as an expert in integrated pelvic floor therapies. She developed her expertise in diagnosing and treating pelvic pain, leaking, and prolapse by helping over 14,000 women since 2005. At her New York City Healing Center, Renew PT, Isa pioneered the use of integrated modalities like Maya massage, cold laser therapy, sound healing and Andean energy techniques with evidence-based physical therapy in ways that had never been done before. She's also the author of five books on the topics of pelvic floor dysfunction and pain, including the newly released international bestseller Female Pelvic Alchemy. Isa’s new online school brings all of her expertise to a global audience, incorporating exercises, self care techniques, and integrative tools to maximize female healing and professional training. After suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction herself after her daughter was born, Isa has made it her life's mission to help 1 million women overcome pelvic floor dysfunction. Resources: Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones https://www.menopausemovement.com/podcast Connect with me on Instagram @drmichellegordon Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drmichellegordon Join The Menopause Movement private group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopausemovement) Register for Isa’s Master class Books mentioned in this episode: Female Pelvic Alchemy: Trade Secrets For Energizing Your Love Life, Enhancing Your Pleasure & Loving Your Body Completely https://amzn.to/38iSude Becoming Safely Embodied: A Guide to Organize Your Mind, Body and Heart to Feel Secure in the World https://amzn.to/3BhKd5H Amazon pays me a small fee when you buy using these links. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to The Menopause Movement Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. Thank you for tuning in! If You Like It, Donate To My Venmo! 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