52: Female Anatomy, Pleasure & Pelvic Pain: The Anatomy Lesson You Never Got
From The World's Tightest Community - A Podcast About Vulvodynia, Vaginismus & Women's Pelvic Pain · 00:48:12
Show by Mathilde Olstad
The anatomy lesson you never got.I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Gelman, a pelvic floor physical therapist and certified sexuality counselor, for a conversation I wish I'd heard much earlier. From the difference between the vulva and vagina to arousal, pleasure and pelvic pain, we explore the parts of our bodies we're so often expected to understand without ever really being taught.We discuss hormonal changes, clitoral stimulation, masturbation, and why sex doesn't have to follow a fixed script. The first part is for every woman who wants to understand her body better. Later, we go deeper into pelvic floor muscles, vaginismus and pain, including why an assessment can involve the hips, thighs and back. I hope it helps you make sense of your symptoms and the things you've heard in appointments.Sponsors:The Pelvic People, makers of Ohnut and Kiwi: 15% off with code TWTC15 at thepelvicpeople.com/twtc.Origin, in-network pelvic floor PT: first month of On Track free with code TWTC at theoriginway.com/twtc.Rachel Gelman:Instagram: @pelvichealthsfWebsite: pelvicwellpt.comPodcast: Not Enough InformationConnect with Mathilde:Instagram: @theworldstightestcommunityWebsite: theworldstightestcommunity.comNewsletter | Support the podcastChapters:00:00:00 Cold Open, Clitoral Stimulation00:00:22 Introduction, The Anatomy Lesson We Never Had00:01:40 Meet Rachel Gelman00:02:39 What Is the Pelvic Floor?00:03:38 Pelvic Floor Myths, Beyond Childbirth00:04:54 A Guided Tour of Pelvic Anatomy00:07:04 Bladder, Bowel and Sexual Function00:08:09 Constipation and Pelvic Symptoms00:08:55 Supporting the Podcast00:09:27 A Trampoline, Not a Rigid Floor00:10:59 What Muscle Tension Feels Like00:13:51 Vulva vs Vagina00:15:59 Hormones, Tissue Changes and Pain00:18:03 Postpartum Dryness and Vaginal Estrogen00:19:05 Hormonal Contraception and Symptoms00:19:38 Clitoral Stimulation, Pleasure and Orgasm00:21:15 Masturbation, Vibrators and Communication00:22:07 Arousal and Vaginal Tenting00:24:46 Lubricant and Sexual Comfort00:26:15 Sex Beyond Penetration, A Sexual Menu00:27:43 Sponsor: The Pelvic People00:29:54 Sponsor: Origin00:32:08 Pelvic Floor Terms, Levator Ani00:33:36 The Superficial Pelvic Floor Muscles00:34:08 Vaginismus and Protective Guarding00:36:52 Deeper Pain, Different Muscle Patterns00:38:11 Vestibular Pain and Nearby Muscles00:40:15 Looking Beyond the Pelvic Floor00:41:12 Hip Flexors, Nerves and Pelvic Pain00:41:49 Inner Thighs and Bladder Symptoms00:42:44 Back, Glutes and Hip Muscles00:44:39 The Brain's Role in Pain00:45:39 Making Sense of Your Body00:46:22 Finding Rachel, Not Enough Information00:47:18 Closing Thoughts, Staying Connected
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