In this episode I discuss with Board Certified Urogynecologist, Dr. Sarah Boyles: Types of incontinenceTypical patient flow through medical system Impact of incontinence on quality of life Reasons why incontinence may developWhat you can expect at a urogynecology appointment Treatment options (pessary, physio, bulking agents, compression, surgery) Description of surgical optionsSurgical risks Post operative instructions How effective are bladder slings? ...
In this episode I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Rachel Fobert: What defines constipation?What is considered ideal poopSigns and symptoms of constipation Reasons people can become constipated?Negative effects of constipation?Recommendations for softer stools How to get help Dr. Rachel Fobert is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor striving to help women with digestive system issues move from being defeated, battling their body and eventually becoming their own DIY doctor ...
In this episode I discuss with Dr. Rebecca Dekker from Evidence Based Birth:What is the perineum?Different types of tearsHow often do tears happen?Factors that increase or decrease chance of tearing Side effects of tearing5 evidence based ways to decrease tearing in childbirth How are we doing in terms of evidence based care?Ways we can improve?Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of “Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born...
In this episode I discuss with Lauren Barker, CEO of Uresta: The reasons why a Canadian Urogynecologist created the device for incontinence Differences between Uresta and a pessaryWhat does Uresta look like and what does it do?SizingSuggestions for insertion and removal How long can it be left in?How well does it work and which symptoms will it best address?PricingUresta was founded by world-renowned, Canadian urogynecologist and Dalhousie University Professor Dr. Scott A. Farr...
In this episode I discuss with Dr. Rachel Ollivier, Nurse Practitioner and women's health scientist based at the BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre in Vancouver, BC:Sexual health is physical, emotional and relational The 6 week check up: What it is and what it isn’tBody image and its relationship with sexual self-imageIdentity as a mother vs. as a sexual beingWhose job is it to talk about sexual health with postpartum moms?Navigating the “right time” to have sex postpartumPain with inte...
In this episode I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn:The menstrual cycle and changes that characterize the menopause transitionThe role of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone The various symptoms experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause (not just hot flashes!)What can someone expect when they book an appointment with a naturopathic doctorDo hormones need to be tested?The menopause transition has traditionally carried a ‘doomsday’ feeling but is ...
This episode is meant to follow Episode #96, Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, urinary issues, pain and the prostate with Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho. In this episode with fellow physiotherapist, Corinne Wade, we discuss the physiotherapy approach to addressing some of the most common pelvic floor related symptoms that men experience. Erectile dysfunctionPremature ejaculationUrinary issues Genital and pelvic pain Prostate related issues Corinne Wade is a regi...
In this episode I sit down with Kelowna based Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho to discuss: What you can expect at a Urology appointmentDiagnostic tests commonly ordered Common reasons men are referred to a urologist and treatment suggestions that may be provided Urinary issuesStorage issues (frequency, urge, incontinence, pain, nighttime urination)Issues with emptying (weak flow, straining, blockage, stop/start, not fully emptying)Erectile dysfunctionGenital painPremature ejaculationP...
In this episode I sit down with dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ritha Belizaire to discuss: What are hemorrhoids? What causes anal fissures?Anal itchinessHow the pelvic floor is related to these conditionsTreatment options including creams, physio, botox, stress management, bowel hygiene, surgery and moreDr. Ritha Belizaire is a dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon in Houston, Texas and the owner of Houston Community Surgical, a solo colorecta...
In this episode I sit down with speech language pathologist (SLP) Ashley Michaelis to discuss: Similarities between the voice box and pelvic floor Relationship between voice, breathing and pelvic floorMissed connections in the researchWays we can use the pelvic floor to train the voice and the voice to train the pelvic floorHow sounds we make in birth influence the pelvic floorNoises we make in sport to increase performance Ashley Michaelis (she/her/hers) embarked on her underg...
In this episode I sit down with physiotherapist and olympic weight lifter, Brittney Klingmann and Dietician Melissa Hardy to discuss: Common symptoms women experience (tired, low mood, decreased performance, low libido, pelvic floor symptoms)How do we know if they are due to hormones, stress. Lack of sleep, nutritional deficiency?The difference between RED (relative energy deficiency) and LEA (low energy availability)Low energy availability in the perinatal, athletic, perimenopausal popu...
In part 2 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny Rabinovich to discuss:Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues The Sexual Health Education curriculum Middle years and high school focus focus (grades 7-12) healthy vs unhealthy relationshipsconsentsexual decision makingcontraception prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Suggestions for parents (how to ask t...
In part 1 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny to discuss:Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues The Sexual Health Education curriculum Elementary years focus (grades 4-6) puberty education (periods, hormones, pimples, hair, body odour)reproduction and pregnancyhygiene (vulvar and penile considerations)personal safety/consent for touch (self touch, good vs bad secr...
In this episode, I sit down with New Westminster BC based Urogynecologist, Dr. Merry Gong to discuss: Operative vaginal birth (vacuum, forceps, episiotomy)What do these instruments look like and indications for their useIndications for operative vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birthRisks associated with vacuum and forcepsCanada has the highest rates of obstetrical traumaC-section rates risingWays to decrease rates of operative vaginal birth Ways to support those with pelvic floor injurie...
In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, Lucy Snider to discuss:How the pelvic floor is related to previous sexual traumaWhat you can expect at a pelvic physiotherapy appointmentWhat may take place at a psychotherapy appointment What is EMDR therapy?Suggestions to help progress to pleasurable sexual activityHow do you know when you are ready to process sexual trauma?Differences in how survivors process sexual traumaHow previous sexual trauma may affect your preparation for birth...
In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist clinician/researcher Dr. Sinead Dufour and Sinead O’Donovan from SRC to discuss:The evidence based benefits of compression The quality garments SRC has developed for incontinence, prolapse and the perinatal populationAustralian trends for use of compressionGiven the data to support, some reasons why we may not be implementing this as well in North America Details on the use of compression (how much, how tight, how long)To check out SR...
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Lori Brotto; Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Registered Psychologist and Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute of BC and Principal Investigator in the HER-BC Research Study on Midlife Women and Menopause to discuss:The impacts of perimenopause/menopause on midlife women The lack of current researchAims of the HER-BC Research Study on Midlife Women and Menopause:To describe the health experiences and ...
In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapy clinician and researcher Dr. Sinéad Dufour and Founder and CEO of Urospot, Erin Craven to discuss: Kegel chair (emsella) controversyVarious marketing strategiesPhysiotherapy skepticisms HIFEM technology and the evidenceHow we use other modalities as physiotherapists to help “reboot the system” (muscle stim, IMS or TENS)The Urospot care model (education, health coaching and technology)Where might HIFEM technology fit into our care plan?T...
In this episode, I sit down with Christie Uipi, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety and depression and the founder of The Better Mind Center to discuss: Pain is invisible and so are pelvic floor issuesHow pain works Why each person experiences pain uniquely Why sometimes pain goes away quickly and reasons why it persistsMessages to patients who feel they go between many health care practionersEmotional and physical aspects of pain How p...
In this episode I sit down with fellow pelvic health physiotherapist and leader in the field of diastasis, Munira Hudani to discuss:The increasing awareness around the topic of diastasis rectus abdominis and the confusion that comes with itConflicting messaging ranging from “be careful, you shouldn’t do those exercises” to “all exercises are good exercises”Trends in messaging and how these have changed over timeWhat the research is telling usThe importance of ‘zooming out’ to figure out what ...