Stress incontinence is any leakage of urine caused by coughing, sneezing or other physical exertion. In my experience women typically approach urinary incontinence in one of two ways: they are either embarrassed and don’t wish to acknowledge it, or they accept it as a normal and inevitable part of aging…
Following childbirth new mothers can feel distressed about the changes they see in their bodies. The majority of these changes go away naturally, but some changes can persist. One commonly held belief is that childbirth permanently stretches and thereby “loosens” the vagina. Is a “loose vagina” a common consequence of…
There are plenty of online articles describing how to do Kegel exercises (or ‘Kegels’), and many more hyping their benefits. But if you look a little deeper you will also find dissenting voices. This article digs into the clinical research to answer two key questions: Do Kegels work? and Are Kegels…
[kkstarratings] Diastasis recti (also known as “rectus diastasis”) is a common result of pregnancy, and a lot of online advice is available to help treat it – both good and questionable. Thankfully clinical research is starting to catch up, and can help us identify the best evidence-based treatment approaches. Here…
You probably fall into one of two groups of people: those who believe that incontinence in female athletes and physically ‘fit’ women is rare (it isn’t), or those who think that a ‘little’ incontinence during intense physical exertion is normal (it’s not). Most people consider urinary incontinence to be a…
Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy can reduce estrogen levels, which often results in early menopause in breast cancer patients. As a result, this population is at special risk of developing the vaginal and urinary symptoms associated with menopause. Unfortunately, treating these symptoms in breast cancer patients poses unique challenges. Estrogen helps regulate…
The biological necessity for rapid growth during pregnancy creates unique physical demands on the pelvis. So it’s not surprising that many women experience some degree of discomfort or pain in their pelvis and/or low back during their pregnancies or soon after birth. It is estimated that nearly 70% of pregnant…
This article describes how to assess your pelvic floor and inner core muscles to see if you are ready for regular postnatal exercise. New mothers can be very motivated to return to regular exercise after pregnancy, and there are a lot of so called ‘postnatal exercise classes’ marketed to this…
There are many so-called postpartum exercise programs targeted at new moms; from yoga and Pilates, to run workshops, boot-camps, and weight-lifting classes. But when is it safe to return to exercise after pregnancy? New moms coming to terms with their postpartum physiques can be highly motivated to join classes or…
