Protect Your Pelvic and Mental Health...
Too often, women and people with pelvic health concerns are told to just "deal with" painful or uncomfortable symptoms. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to accept these issues as part of life. Saying "nope" to common pelvic and mental health struggles is not only empowering, but essential for your wellbeing.
Let’s dive into the things you can start saying “nope” to, and why you deserve more.
1. Painful Sex
Painful sex (also known as dyspareunia) is never something you have to put up with. It’s estimated that about 75% of women experience pain during sex at some point in their lives, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or acceptable. Pain during intercourse could be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis, or even vulvodynia or vaginismus, which can all be treated with pelvic health therapy. Techniques like pelvic floor relaxation, manual therapy, and mind-body practices and nervous system regulation help reduce pain and allow you to reclaim pleasurable intimacy.
2. GI Issues
Chronic gastrointestinal issues like bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have a significant impact on pelvic health. Studies suggest that up to 70% of those with pelvic floor dysfunction also experience GI issues. Saying “nope” to chronic gut problems means seeking out pelvic health therapy, which can address bowel function, digestion, and even provide relief for painful or chronic constipation. Remember, your gut and pelvic health are closely connected, and you deserve to feel better from the inside out.
3. Medical Gaslighting
Unfortunately, many women experience medical gaslighting—being dismissed or told their symptoms are "all in their head." A survey found that about one-third of women felt their healthcare provider did not take their pain seriously. You can say “nope” to this by finding practitioners who listen to you and validate your experience. Trauma-informed pelvic health therapists are trained to provide empathetic care that supports both your physical and emotional wellbeing, and occupational therapists are trained in supporting your self-advocacy and voice and choice in your healthcare.
4. Very Painful Periods
Menstrual pain that interferes with your daily life, known as dysmenorrhea, is often downplayed. But 90% of adolescent girls report menstrual pain, and for many, it continues into adulthood. Extreme period pain can be a sign of conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis. You don’t have to just “live with it.” Pelvic health therapy, paired with lifestyle changes and pain management strategies, can help you reclaim comfort and minimize the impact of painful periods on your life.
5. Persistent Pelvic, Back, or Hip Pain
Chronic pelvic, back, or hip pain is not something you should feel stuck with. Around one in four women suffer from chronic pelvic pain, often without clear answers. Pelvic health therapy uses tailored exercises, manual therapy, and postural adjustments to address the root causes of pain, such as pelvic floor dysfunction or muscular imbalance. OTs also use client-centered nervous and sensory system retraining to help interrupt the persistent pain cycle. By saying “nope” to persistent pain, you can regain mobility, ease, and a pain-free life.
6. Jaw Tension
Believe it or not, there’s a link between your jaw and pelvic floor. Known as the jaw-pelvis connection, tightness in your jaw can mirror tension in your pelvic muscles. If you experience frequent jaw clenching, tension, or TMJ, this may contribute to or exacerbate pelvic dysfunction. Relaxation techniques, body awareness, and pelvic floor therapy can help you say “nope” to both jaw and pelvic tension.
7. Abdominal Pain
Persistent abdominal pain may be more than just a “stomachache.” Pelvic floor dysfunction, GI issues, and trauma can all manifest as abdominal discomfort. In pelvic health therapy, techniques such as visceral manipulation (a gentle form of manual therapy) are used to release restrictions in the abdomen and support pain relief. By saying “nope” to ongoing abdominal pain, you’re choosing to listen to your body and seek the care it deserves.
8. Peeing When You Laugh, Jump, Sneeze, or Have Sex
Urinary incontinence is a common problem, especially after childbirth, but it does not need to be normalized. Studies show that up to 50% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence in their lifetime, but many are told it’s just a part of aging or motherhood. Pelvic floor therapy offers solutions for improving bladder control and addressing the root causes of incontinence, helping you reclaim confidence and comfort in your body.
9. Crap Sleep
Sleep is critical for both pelvic and mental health. Poor sleep can contribute to increased pain, anxiety, and stress. Conditions like sleep apnea affect more than 20 million Americans, and hormonal shifts or chronic pain can also disrupt sleep patterns. Prioritizing sleep hygiene—such as maintaining a consistent bedtime, creating a calming pre-sleep routine, developing patterns to regulate your sensory and nervous systems, and addressing underlying causes like pain or stress—can transform your sleep quality and boost overall health.
10. Sensory Overwhelm
Sensory overload can happen when your nervous system is overwhelmed by stimuli, and this can affect your pelvic health. Stress and sensory overwhelm often increase muscle tension, which can exacerbate conditions like pelvic pain or dysfunction. Occupational therapy, sensory regulation techniques, improved interoception, and grounding exercises can help you say “nope” to overwhelm and regain control over your body and external environments.
11. Not Having Orgasms
Sexual pleasure is an vital aspect of health, and you deserve to experience it, whether alone, with others, or both. Up to 40% of women experience difficulty reaching orgasm, but this doesn’t have to be your reality. If pain, tension, or mental health struggles are affecting your ability to orgasm, pelvic health therapy can address the underlying causes and offer tools like breathwork, relaxation techniques, and body awareness and sensuality-positive exercises to support your sexual wellbeing.
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Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Your Health
Saying “nope” to these common struggles is about choosing you: your needs, your health, and your wellbeing. You don’t have to settle for pain, discomfort, or being dismissed by medical professionals. With the right support—through pelvic health occupational therapy, and our wholebeing care—you can address these issues at their core and live with more comfort, confidence, and vitality.
Your body and mind deserve care that honors all of your needs. It’s time to take control and say “nope” to anything less: 505-333-9337
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