Pelvic Floor

Until a few years ago, pelvic floor physical therapy fell under the umbrella of women’s health. For folks who don’t identify as cis women, this classification can be a barrier to accessing necessary care.

The first time we did an episode about the pelvic floor, Anita learned that y'all needed that education just as much as she did. She revisits the topic with a focus on access for trans and gender nonconforming folks. Two providers reflect on the sexuality education that has informed their approaches to treatment, and a patient shares his experience navigating pelvic pain with providers who weren't always well-informed about treating trans patients.

The pelvic floor is a sling of muscles that supports the organs in our lower abdomen. We can't see them, but they help with sexual function peeing and pooping — and can be connected to issues from pain during penetrative sex to urine or stool leakage. Increasing awareness of these muscles and common issues is still in progress by patients and the Western medical community.

Anita figures out why everybody's talking about the pelvic floor. Turns out, getting-to-know the hammock-like structure of muscles we carry around has helped some people heal their relationships with sex and their bodies. She also uncovers the game-changing ways her own dad has contributed to pelvic floor medicine.