By Stephanie Prendergast, PHRC Cofounder What is Vulvodynia? Is it a symptom, a disease, or a syndrome? What does the term ‘Vuvlodynia’ mean to people with vulvar pain, pelvic pain specialists, medical professionals, and the community in general? In a previous blog post I wrote about how in the pelvic pain world, diagnosis does not dictate treatment. Many pelvic pain diagnoses simply …
Ending Kegel Confusion: Here’s What You Need to Know
I recently had the opportunity to get together with a group of moms through the Holistic Moms Network (HMN) in Fremont, CA. I had put together a talk on what I thought were the most common issues moms of any age might be facing, but I wanted to spend some time asking them what they felt they needed more information …
Get to know your Vulva: A Guide to Self Examination
By Rachel Gelman, DPT “ Let’s just start with the word vagina. Vagina. It sounds like an infection at best. Maybe a medical instrument. ‘Hurry, nurse, bring me the vagina.’ Vagina. Vagina. It doesn’t matter how many times you say the word, it never sounds like a word you want to say. ”-Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues There are many …
Where’s the Yeast? When pelvic floor dysfunction mimics yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infections aka candidiasis, are an uncomfortable and common issue that many women find themselves dealing with at some point. Three out of four women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetimes-many will experience two or more. If you’ve had one you know that the symptoms can be enough to drive you crazy: -severe vaginal/labia …
Growing Pains: A Story of Sex, Vaginismus, and Clinically Approved Dildos
By Jackie M. White This week writer Jackie White, writer, educator, and creator of the website Sexual Healing, shares her colorful story and essay on pelvic pain. Growing Pains: A Story of Sex, Vaginsmus, & Clinically Approved Dildos Not Just Another Blog Post, Folks… Back in September 2014, the North American chapter of World Sexual Health Day announced that my personal …