Baubo: The Podcast

For decades, vulvodynia was considered a mystery condition with few answers and limited treatment options. That's no longer the case.In this episode, Dr. Andrew Goldstein - Clinical Professor at George Washington University and one of the world's leading experts on vulvar and pelvic pain - explains how 25 years of dedicated research has transformed our understanding of vulvodynia from a "black box" into a condition with identifiable causes and effective treatments.In this episode, you'll learn:Why vulvodynia wasn't part of standard medical training (and what's changing)The real causes behind vulvar pain - from mast cell inflammation to hormonal triggersHow birth control pills can cause vulvodynia in some women (and the genetic reasons why)Why the majority of pelvic pain patients have been gaslit - and the JAMA study that proves itThe truth about vestibulectomy surgery: who needs it (only 7% of patients) and the 97% success rateExciting new treatments on the horizon, including ketotifen for mast cell stabilizationDr. Goldstein, past president of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, has published over 170 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored 8 books on female sexual pain. He shares the revolutionary research from the 2023 Vulvodynia Therapeutics Summit and explains why vulvodynia is no longer a mystery condition - it's a solvable problem with tailored treatments.Whether you're living with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, vaginismus, or other forms of pelvic pain, this episode offers validation, answers, and hope for your healing journey.🎧 Topics covered: vulvodynia causes, hormonally mediated vulvodynia, provoked vestibulodynia, vestibulectomy surgery, pelvic floor dysfunction, mast cell activation, birth control and vulvar pain, gaslighting in healthcare, new vulvodynia treatments🔬 WANT TO HELP ADVANCE VULVODYNIA RESEARCH?Dr. Goldstein emphasizes that clinical trials are crucial for developing new treatments. If you're interested in participating in vulvodynia research studies, including trials for ketotifen (mast cell stabilizer), resiniferatoxin (nerve desensitization),and Xeomin (for vulvodynia due to secondary hypertonic pelvic floor muscle dysfunction), reach out to research.cvvd@gmail.com. Your participation could help create the breakthrough treatments of tomorrow.RESOURCES & LINKS:Dr. Andrew Goldstein:Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders: www.vulvodynia.comOrganizations mentioned:International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH): www.isswsh.orgNational Vulvodynia Association: www.nva.orgTight Lipped (Patient Advocacy): https://www.tightlipped.org/ Dr. Goldstein's Books:When Sex Hurts (2nd edition, 2022)Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Evaluation & Management (2nd edition, 2020)• Reclaiming Desire (2nd edition, 2009)Connect with the podcast: @meet.baubo or mathilde@baubo.org

If you're dealing with vaginismus or vulvodynia, you know how limited treatment options can feel - and how rarely we see real innovation in this space. That's why I was so intrigued when I discovered light therapy as a potential tool for pelvic pain relief.In this episode, I sit down with Liz Frey, a pelvic health physiotherapist and Women's Health Medical Director at Fringe, to explore how light therapy is being used to treat vaginismus, vulvodynia, and pelvic floor hypertonicity.Liz breaks down the science of photobiomodulation and explains how different wavelengths of light - red, near-infrared, and blue - work at the cellular level to promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and support pelvic floor recovery.In this episode, we discuss:What light therapy actually is and how it differs from sunlight exposureThe science behind red light and near-infrared therapy for tissue healingHow light therapy can help with vaginismus, vulvodynia, and pelvic floor hypertonicityBlue light therapy for vaginal microbiome health and bacterial vaginosisThe Fringe Pelvic Wand: combining light therapy with gentle vibrationUse cases for postpartum recovery, menopause, and pelvic atrophyContraindications and safety considerationsHow to integrate light therapy into your pelvic pain treatment planResources mentioned:Fringe website: FringeHeals.comInstagram: @FringeHealsUse discount code BAUBO10 for exclusive savingsConnect with the podcast: @Meet.Baubo or mathilde@baubo.org

After experiencing vaginismus for over 15 years, Lauren found a treatment approach that finally worked - and it looked very different from the clinical, physical therapy-style dilation she'd tried before.In this conversation, Lauren opens up about her journey from her first painful gynecologist visit at age 12 through years of inadequate medical advice ("just relax" and "have a glass of wine"), to discovering what actually helped: an arousal-first approach to dilating that prioritized pleasure over protocol.Lauren shares the practical details of her routine - how she started so slowly she didn't even use dilators at first, why she incorporated audio porn and a magic wand into every session, and how she worked with her husband to build arousal skills before ever attempting penetrative sex together. She also discusses the role that going off birth control played in reconnecting with her libido and menstrual cycle, and how understanding her body's natural rhythms helped her succeed.This episode offers concrete, actionable insights for anyone struggling with vaginismus, while also exploring the emotional and relational impact of living with pain. Lauren's story is a reminder that healing doesn't have to follow a rigid formula - and that sometimes the key is making the process feel less like physical therapy and more like something you actually want to do.Connect with Lauren on instagram @tcsbooksConnect with Mathilde on instagram @meet.baubo or mathilde@baubo.org

This episode isn't just about dating and relationships - though we definitely talk about that. It's about how vaginismus can impact every corner of your life: your confidence at work, whether you feel like an imposter in your career, how you express yourself creatively through movement or dance, your ability to assert yourself in everyday situations, and the mental space it occupies in your mind.Are you postponing not just dating, but living fully until your vaginismus is "fixed"? Do you feel broken, unworthy, or like you're somehow less than because of sexual pain?This episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start reclaiming your worth NOW.I'm joined by Dr. Janelle Frederick (@vaginarehabdoctor), pelvic floor physical therapist and vaginismus specialist, for what might be the most important conversation you hear this year about self-worth, living fully with vaginismus, and why the narrative of being "broken" needs to end.This isn't just another clinical discussion about pelvic floor dysfunction - this is a raw, honest pep talk about why you're worthy of love RIGHT NOW, how to show up confidently in all areas of your life despite vaginismus, and how healing goes far beyond just being able to have pain-free sex.Dr. Janelle brings her signature bold, refreshing approach - she's unfiltered, empowering, and refuses to let you stay stuck in shame. She shares powerful client transformations, including a dancer who couldn't access her sensual expression because of vaginismus, and medical professionals who felt like imposters despite their expertise.About Dr. Janelle Howell: Dr. Janelle Howell is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in helping women overcome vaginismus, vulvodynia, and chronic sexual pain through her virtual practice. She combines physical therapy expertise with mindset work, addressing both the body and beliefs that keep women stuck.Resources mentioned:Vaginismus to Vagilicious Challenge (yearly January challenge)Dr. Janelle's Podcast: “The Vagina Rehab Doctor Podcast”Follow Dr. Janelle on IG: @vaginarehabdoctor• MELT Challenge for softening your pelvic floorConnect with us on IG: @meet.baubo

As the year closes, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you - to everyone who's listened, shared, and reached out. In this episode, I reflect on the journey so far, share a personal update on my own journey, and talk about about why fact-checking and accountability matter so much when it comes to information about women's bodies.Your feedback shapes this podcast. If you ever want to talk, suggest a topic, or question something you've heard here - I'm listening!Follow along on @meet.baubo or reach out to me mathilde@baubo.org

What happens in sex therapy for vaginismus and vulvodynia? In this conversation with certified holistic sexuality educator and embodied intimacy coach Lauren Elise Rogers, we explore how sex and relationship coaching addresses the root causes of sexual pain - beyond just the physical symptoms.Lauren shares her journey from purity culture to becoming a specialist in treating vaginismus, vulvodynia, and painful sex. We discuss:The "garden metaphor" – three levels of sexual beliefs living in your body (explicit, latent, and body-based)Why your body's "no" to sex might be wisdom, not dysfunctionHow arousal actually dampens pain perception (and why this isn't talked about more)The three-minute game for rebuilding trust and creating new neural pathwaysWhy dilators alone aren't enough without addressing trauma, arousal, and contextPractical timeline exercises you can try at home to uncover hidden sexual beliefsIf you've been told to "just push through" the pain, or feel broken because treatment isn't working, this episode offers a different perspective: your body isn't broken - it's communicating. Lauren explains how sex therapy works alongside pelvic floor physio and medical care to treat the psychological, emotional, and educational gaps that often underlie conditions like vaginismus and vulvodynia.Resources mentioned:The three-minute touch gameSexual timeline exercise (ages 7, 14, 21)Fill-in-the-blank prompts: "Sex is___", "My body belongs to___", "It's a girl's job to__”, "It's a boy’s job to__”, “To stay safe, I___"Connect with Lauren: IG: https://www.instagram.com/sex_ed_for_you/https://sexedforyou.com/Connect with us: mathilde@baubo.orgIG: https://www.instagram.com/meet.baubo/ This is not medical advice. Always work with qualified healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment of sexual pain conditions.

Vulvodynia can feel mysterious, isolating, and overwhelming - especially when treatments seem to focus on symptoms instead of causes. In this conversation, acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner Jennifer Dubowsky shares how she approaches vulvar pain through a whole-body lens built on 24 years of clinical experience. Jennifer walks us through the most common TCM patterns she sees in women with vulvodynia and explains how acupuncture may help with pain, inflammation, and pelvic-floor tightness. She also demystifies concepts like qi, damp heat, and mirror-imaging points in a way that feels practical and accessible. Connect with Jennifer: * https://jenniferdubowsky.com/ * Jennifer’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-In-Chinese-Medicine-Acupuncture/ * https://www.instagram.com/vulvodyniaproject/ * https://www.instagram.com/acupuncture007/ Connect with Mathilde: mathilde@baubo.org @meet.baubo Resources Mentioned: National Vulvodynia Association: https://www.nva.org/ Research Studies: * Lee Hollander Rubin's study tested whether adding acupuncture to regular lidocaine treatment (a topical numbing medication applied to the vestibule to reduce pain) for provoked vulvodynia is feasible, acceptable, and potentially helpful for reducing pain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31592976/ * Judith Schlaeger's studies on acupuncture for vulvodynia patients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25639289/ and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9649367/#sec4 Topical Products: * Yin Care topical liquid - https://yincare.com/product/yin-care-original-100-ml/ * Apply with organic cotton ball, can be diluted with water or used straight * Can also be placed on cotton ball between labia for extended relief * V-Magic balm by Medicine Mama - Works as a vaginal moisturizer, particularly helpful for menopausal symptoms: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Medicine-Mamas-Apothecary-Vmagic-Intimate/dp/B0071Q5PL0?th=1 * Therapeutic Intimacy Oil by Wellness and Nature - Natural numbing option: https://www.wellnessxnature.com/intimacy-oil Product Safety Tool: * Yuka app (for scanning personal care products and food for irritants): https://yuka.io/en/ Safe Lubricants (water-based, free of vulvar irritants): * Sliquid: https://sliquid.com/ * Good Clean Love: https://goodcleanlove.com/products/almost-naked%C2%AE-organic-personal-lubricant-4-oz * Pre-Seed (fertility-friendly): https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Seed-Fertility-Friendly-Personal-Lubricant-Pack/dp/B00BYDC79O * Avoid: KY Jelly and Astroglide - these kill good bacteria and can increase vulnerability to infection Movement & Stretching: * A simple 5 minute yoga routine to soothe the nervous system, release muscle tension and ease Vulvar pain: https://www.instagram.com/reel/B_2jI5shOHX/ General TCM and Lifestyle Advice: * Temperature & Circulation: * Do NOT drink ice water (constricts circulation and "dumps ice into your fire of life") * Do NOT walk around barefoot * Do NOT sit on cold surfaces * DO apply heat to lower abdomen and lower back to increase circulation * Use infrared heat when possible * Take lukewarm (not hot) Epsom salt baths * Dietary Support: * Drink ginger tea regularly - anti-inflammatory and warming, increases circulation * Clothing & Hygiene: * Wear loose-fitting clothing * Wear cotton underwear only * Don't sit in wet bathing suits - change promptly * Check laundry detergent for irritants * Avoid chlorinated water and hot tubs * Stress Management & Relaxation: * Box breathing technique: Breathe in for count of 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4, repeat * Practice relaxation techniques to prevent muscle tensing * Address anxiety as it worsens muscle tension and pain * Complementary Treatments: * Pelvic floor physical therapy - highly recommended for all vulvodynia patients, especially those with muscle tightness/vaginismus

Thrush (aka yeast/candida infections) is common - 75% of women will experience it at some point - but for some women, it can trigger long-term vulvar pain (vulvodynia). In this powerful episode, Mathilde speaks with Philly Baines, a UK-based women’s health advocate, about her journey from repeated thrush infections to developing vulvodynia, and how years of medical dismissal led her to campaign for change. Together they unpack what we do know about the link between thrush and nerve pain, why so many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed, and what warning signs to look out for. Philly also shares how she turned her own experience into Thrush-Support.com, a free evidence-based resource helping women advocate for better care. Listeners will learn how to recognize persistent thrush, understand why it sometimes leads to chronic pain, and what to ask for in medical appointments. This episode is not medical advice. Connect with Philly: @painsdownthere @thrushsupport 👉 Ask your questions for future episodes through mathilde@baubo.org or via Instagram @meet.baubo.

In this conversation, pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Julie Sarton shares the small, surprising ways our daily routines - like how we sit, breathe, carry stress, or even pee - can quietly create or maintain pelvic floor tension. We unpack why “just doing Kegels” often backfires, how breath-holding and sucking in your stomach keep your pelvic floor on high alert, and what it really means to release rather than strengthen. Dr. Sarton brings nearly 30 years of experience treating pelvic pain to explain how posture, clothing, exercise cues, and even nervous system regulation all play a role in recovery from vaginismus and vulvodynia. You’ll walk away with simple, practical changes you can make today to support a calmer, healthier pelvic floor. About Dr. Julie Sarton: Founder of Sarton Pelvic Healing in California, Dr. Sarton is a pioneer in pelvic floor physical therapy and international educator on chronic pelvic pain. 💬 Have a question you’d like covered in a future episode? Reach out at mathilde@baubo.org or send a DM to @meet.baubo on Instagram. This episode is not medical advice.

For so many living with vaginismus or vulvodynia, pain feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. What if one of those pieces is fascia - the thin, stringy web that connects every part of your body, where tightness in your jaw could whisper tension into your pelvis? In this episode, we unpack what fascia actually is, how it connects areas like the jaw and pelvis, and why this matters for anyone experiencing chronic pelvic pain. You’ll also learn simple, practical tools to support your fascial health through gentle movement, breath, and touch. 🎧 Follow and send your questions for future episodes on Instagram @meet.baubo or at mathilde@baubo.org. Connect with Violet Meyers at @battersea.massage

What really shapes how we live with vulvodynia, vaginismus and other pelvic pain conditions - biology alone, or also our emotions, thoughts, partner interactions and place in society? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Claudia Chisari, one of the most cited scientists in vulvodynia research and founder of Bloume Health. Claudia shares her own journey through years of pain and medical dismissal, and how that experience led her to research vulvodynia using the ACT framework and later establish a pelvic pain platform, Bloume Health. We talk about why stigma, mental health, and relationships can influence pain outcomes, what her research reveals about acceptance and injustice, and how she’s now turning these insights into practical tools through her work at Bloume Health. It’s a conversation that blends lived wisdom with groundbreaking science - and it just might shift how you think about pelvic pain care. This episode is not medical advice. 💘 I’d love to hear your questions for future episodes - reach me at mathilde@baubo.com or on Instagram @meet.baubo.

Fear is one of our most powerful instincts - and it often plays a central role in vaginismus. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Seth Senecal explains how fear overrides logic, shapes our nervous system, and keeps our pelvic floor muscles from relaxing. Whether it’s a tiger chasing us or worrying that someone we love might leave, the body responds as if survival is on the line - and that signal can often be hard to mute. Together with host Mathilde, he unpacks why safety is as crucial as arousal, why using dilators alone without addressing emotional factors often fall short, and how shame and anger can be transformed into tools for healing. Listeners will learn how the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work during sex, why anxiety is a “mood killer,” and what it means to approach vaginismus with curiosity and softness instead of force. Dr. Seth Senecal is a U.S.-based clinical psychologist who works with trauma, anxiety, and chronic pain. For speaking engagements or to connect with Dr. Seth Senecal, reach out at docsenecal@gmail.com Connect with us at @meet.baubo or mathilde@baubo.org

In this episode, Dr. Jill Krapf joins Mathilde to unpack the four main drivers of vulvar pain - hormonal, muscular, inflammatory, and nerve-related - and why these factors often overlap. She shares why she believes the catch-all term “vulvodynia” will eventually disappear as research continues to uncover specific root causes. We discuss how Dr. Krapf investigates these causes in her practice, from examining glands and muscles to considering hormones and nerve involvement. She outlines practical treatment options - topical hormones, pelvic floor therapy, medications - and when surgery might be appropriate. Dr. Krapf also highlights exciting new research on neuroinflammatory pain. Work with Dr. Jill Krapf:
 https://jillkrapfmd.com/ appointments@jillkrapfmd.com 
 https://www.instagram.com/jillkrapfmd
 Book: When Sex Hurts https://tinyurl.com/yb9z3vtv The Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders: https://vulvodynia.com/ Interact with us:
 https://www.instagram.com/meet.baubo mathilde@baubo.org 04:24 – Dr Jill Krapf’s background 
 06:08 – Why “vulvodynia” is a problematic term
 09:53 – The four main root-cause categories (hormonal, muscular, inflammatory/infectious and nerve-related)
 14:30 – Hormonal factors and diagnosis
 19:30 – Hormonal treatment options
 22:42 – Muscular causes and pain cycles
 29:05 – Assessing and treating muscle-based pain
 31:38 – Inflammatory and infectious causes
 34:30 – Treatment approaches for inflammation
 35:46 – Nerve-driven pain
 38:20 – Treatment options for nerve pain
 42:23 – Pudendal and pelvic nerve issues
 44:25 – How to find and work with Dr. Jill Krapf

Join us with Sam Evans, intimate health expert and co-owner of Jo Divine, a UK pleasure shop specializing in skin-safe products. Sam shares her personal experience with vaginismus and how intimate products directly contributed to her condition. In this episode, we discuss: * How common ingredients in lubricants, condoms and other intimate health products can trigger vaginal pain * Why "doctor recommended" products might still contain harmful ingredients * How incorporating toys and focusing on pleasure can be beneficial for those experiencing vulvodynia and vaginimsus Request a topic we should address on the podcast via @meetbaubo. 10% discount code for Jo Divine: BAUBO10 (£5 minimum spend on full priced products excluding P&P) ends 30/04/25 Recommended products: * Yes Organic Water Based Lubricant https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-organic-lubricant-water-based * Yes Organic Oil Based Lubricant https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-organic-lubricant-oil-based * Yes Coco Oil Based Lube Applicators x 6 https://www.jodivine.com/products/yes-coco-oil-based-lube-applicators-x-6 * SUTIL Luxe https://www.jodivine.com/products/sutil-luxe * SUTIL Rich https://www.jodivine.com/products/sutil-rich * Immy Vibrator https://www.jodivine.com/products/jo-divine-immy

In part two of our two-part series, we explore the fascinating neuroscience behind pelvic pain with pelvic health physiotherapist Jo Gipson. We cover why pain isn't just physical but a complex response to perceived threat, and how our beliefs and past experiences shape our body's reactions. Jo breaks down how pain cycles can emerge, explains why anticipating pain can make it worse, and reveals why even trusted partners can unknowingly trigger protective responses. Connect with Jo Gipson: Instagram: @jogipsonphysio Website: www.jogipsonphysiotherapy.com For UK-based pelvic health support, visit the Pelvic Pain Network: @pelvicpainnetwork The Oh nut: https://thepelvicpeople.com/products/ohnut-depth-limiting-rings

In part one of our two-part series, pelvic health physiotherapist Jo Gipson explains the basics of pelvic floor anatomy and the relevance for vulvodynia and vaginismus. She challenges common myths about Kegel exercises, explains why both muscle relaxation and strength matter, and shares practical treatment approaches from breath work to dilator use. Connect with Jo Gipson: Instagram: @jogipsonphysio Website: www.jogipsonphysiotherapy.com For UK-based pelvic health support, visit the Pelvic Pain Network: @pelvicpainnetwork

In this first episode, we dive deep into the often misunderstood world of vulvodynia and vaginismus with Dr. Tania Adib, a leading London-based gynecologist specializing in vulvar health. Through host Mathilde's personal journey and Dr. Adib's clinical expertise, we explore why these conditions are frequently dismissed by healthcare providers despite affecting up to 1 in 5 women. Dr. Adib breaks down the four key root causes - inflammatory, muscular, neurological, and hormonal. We discuss why vulvar pain remains a diagnostic challenge for medical professionals, the potential link between hormonal birth control and pain, and how symptoms can vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Dr. Adib shares crucial guidance for women facing medical dismissal and explains why understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment. Finally, Dr Adib shares her view on promising innovations in treatment. Participate in the the world's largest survey on vaginismus and vulvodynia here: baubo.org