My fellow rule followers- raise your hand if you’re sure to schedule a yearly visit for a dental and eye check-up. Maybe this makes me obsessive, but because of my endometriosis, I also see my gynecologist once a year and I’ve even started implementing a naturopath check-in as well. While scheduling (and actually attending) these appointments between a work schedule, family events, and the rest of life is a miracle in itself, I’d like to propose that you add juuuuust one more commitment to your calendar.
Whether you have pelvic floor concerns or not, I recommend that every woman sees a pelvic floor physical therapist once a year.
While I hate to compare the female body to….anything!, I’m a firm believer that if we cared for our pelvic floors the way that we did our cars, our pets, or even our children, we would nearly eliminate the issues that come with menstruating, pregnancy, birthing, menopause and all the other wildly beautiful things our bodies go through as females.
So why don’t we!?!
Well…I think this is because we’re fed the lie that discomfort and suffering and inconvenience are “just part of being a woman”. But let me remind you that common does not mean normal, and we are not cursed to have pain or leakage or organs falling out of our bodies simply because we’re females with vaginas.
If I’ve got you convinced, then great! While pelvic floor therapists are not on every corner, we are becoming more prevalent. There’s likely one near you, and I encourage you to make an appointment today. My favorite place to look up your local therapist is www.hermanwallace.com. Just click “find a practitioner”, then type in your zip code and your options will pop up. (Please know that NOT EVERY pelvic floor therapist can be found on this website, but this is the group of therapists that I am trained through, and I consider us the best of the best).
If you’re still not quite ready to make that phone call, then let me persuade you a little further by answering some of the top questions I get before patients make their first appointment with me.
What will the appointment entail?
While I can’t speak for all pelvic floor PTs, I can tell you what my initial evaluations include.
1. Paperwork- A detailed medical history and questionnaires specifically about your pelvic floor health to make sure we’re getting every detail of what’s going on with your body. I find these especially helpful because they can bring up issues that you may not have even known were a problem.
2. A general musculoskeletal exam- Think of this like what your “average” physical therapist would do. We check your back and pelvic alignment and mobility, hip strength and flexibility, core strength, and even things like the arches of your feet and how you breathe. Believe it or not, all of these things can affect the pelvic floor and visa versa, and a good pelvic floor PT will check all of the above.
3. An external vaginal exam- We look at the health of your vulva including your tissue color and texture. We assess your perineum and how it moves and feels, especially if you have a history of tearing or episiotomy. Just by getting an outside visual, many of your pelvic health questions can be addressed! So if an internal exam isn’t your thing…no worries.
4. An internal vaginal exam- There are three layers of muscle to the female pelvic floor, and they are typically evaluated with just one finger and lubricant. No speculum needed, because we can tell the most about these structures by feeling, not looking. It’s here that the tone, coordination, and strength of your muscles is most accurately found and treated.
More often than not, “that wasn’t so bad” and “that was so informative” is the first thing I hear from my patients when the exam is over. I don’t like people down there as much as the next person, but the benefits!? Well worth it in my opinion.
What will it cost?
Most pelvic floor therapists operate on a private, cash pay system and do not take health insurance. Your average appointment will likely be anywhere from $100-$200 depending on where you are and who you see. While that may seem like a lot, keep in mind that most appointments are anhour long and not only include an examination but also useful tools, tricks, and treatment options for you to leave feeling your time and money is well spent. The beauty of seeing a therapist who does not use insurance is that they are providing you with care that is best for your health rather than only what is going to be reimbursed by an insurance company.
If you are seeing a pelvic floor therapist who takes your health insurance, then it all depends on your co-pay and deductible. In order to know exactly what your appointment is going to cost you, I recommend calling your insurance ahead of time. If you hate talking to these companies as much as I do…no fear. I’ve made a free worksheet that tells you step by step what to ask so that you’re not going into anything blindly.
What if I don’t have any pelvic floor concerns?
First of all, you go girl! If this is you, then you are in the lucky minority and I encourage you to thank your body every day for all of the amazing things it’s doing for you!
Buuuut once you’re done (rightfully) patting yourself on the back, let me remind you that preventative medicine is sadly underutilized but so so valuable. Between monthly menstrual cycles, having babies, exercise and the other million tasks that we take on as women, something is bound to malfunction at some point. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the pelvic floor literally supports our whole body, and unless we’re partaking in adequate maintenance, something can and will eventually break down.
But isn’t it weird?
Friend, what’s weird about being proactive and taking care of your body? Isn’t it crazier to pee your pants as an adult or let pain dictate your life?! I personally think that living with issues that you KNOW can be fixed and/or prevented is the strangest thing of all.
And if there’s a part of the exam that’s just beyond your comfort level, that’s ok! As I mentioned above, pelvic floor therapists know how to work around your personal boundaries while still evaluating and treating successfully. I recommend going into your appointment being clear about what you are and are not comfortable with and sticking to it. You will get more out of your appointment if you are happy with how it’s going, and your therapist will be thankful for your openness and honesty.
The female body is absolutely amazing, but like most good things in life, we often only get out of something what we put into it. While you showing up in this space, taking in the content provided here at Make + Manifest, and simply reading this blog post is a step in the right direction, there is something to be said for that one-on-one, individualized care that cannot be beat.
So if you’re already opening another tab in your browser to make that appointment, then know that I’m over here giddy with delight for the positive experience that you are bound to have. Seriously, there are no amount of heart eyed emojis or confetti-exploding gifs to portray my excitement.
But if you’re still on the fence, or it’s a no for whatever reason, then hear me promise, with just as much enthusiasm, that I will do my absolute best to provide you with tools, tips, and tricks right. here. so that you can continue on the path to pelvic floor health. No appointment necessary.
