Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Every woman will experience menopause, whether it occurs naturally or is surgically induced. Research now shows that many of the impacts of menopause can begin 5–10 years before menopause itself, making this pre-transition period essential for optimizing midlife health.

A recent publication in Sexual Medicine Reviews has introduced a critical but often overlooked concept in postpartum health: Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation (GSL). Modeled after the well-established “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause” (GSM), this term describes the hormonal shifts during lactation that can lead to a variety of urogenital symptoms in new mothers. The key takeaway? Postpartum discomfort isn’t always just part of the healing process—it can be a sign of something treatable and manageable.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), a condition affecting up to 75% of postmenopausal individuals . These guidelines emphasize a symptom-based diagnosis and advocate for conservative treatments, including pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT), as integral components of care . 

Constipation affects an estimated 16% of Americans, with higher rates in older adults. This common issue significantly impacts quality of life. 

Functional Constipation is one of the most common forms of constipation. This often involves dyssynergia in the muscles, which is when the pelvic floor muscles contract and tighten instead of lengthening with defecation. This can make it harder to pass stool, with average times exceeding over 5 minutes on the toilet. Over the counter options can help soften stools, but they don't address the dysfunction in the muscles creating a chronic cycle that greatly impacts millions of Americans.

There is exciting news in the world of lactation; the first study to examine flanges smaller than 21mm for milk output and comfort was published in November 2024. Dr. Lisa Anders and Jeanette Mesite Frem, MHS, IBCLC, RLC, CCE, CD had a group of participants pump with standard size flanges (21mm and 24mm) that came with their breast pump and smaller flanges that were fitted with the Flange FITS Guide. The participants then recorded their milk output and comfort measures with each type of flange.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine updated their mastitis protocol in 2022 and it has now been found that conditions such as clogged milk ducts and mastitis are on an inflammatory spectrum. The protocol goes into detail about numerous treatments for these conditions and one of the most effective conservative measures is lymphatic massage — a gentle technique designed to promote lymph flow, reduce inflammation, and alleviate the discomfort associated with the conditions.

Postpartum thyroiditis is a rare condition where your thyroid gland becomes inflamed within the first year after pregnancy. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of your neck that releases hormones that control essential body processes and your metabolism.

Mastitis is a common yet painful condition that affects many breastfeeding mothers. While it can be a challenging hurdle in a breastfeeding journey, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of mastitis can help moms manage the condition effectively and continue breastfeeding. Whether it’s your first time experiencing it or you’re looking to prevent future episodes, knowing how to address mastitis is key to maintaining breastfeeding health and comfort.

Clogged milk ducts are now considered to be on the mastitis spectrum and have been identified as the most significant predictor of mastitis in the first few months postpartum. Treatment and prevention is key to keeping lactating women healthy and supporting their breastfeeding relationship.

We are so excited to introduce a new product that will be available for purchase at Women in Motion - BreastHealth+, a probiotic, prebiotic, and choline blend that helps support you and your baby throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecologic surgeries performed for both benign and malignant conditions. Approximately 600,000 women in the United States get hysterectomies each year per the Cleveland Clinic. This surgery can be life-changing for many women, providing relief from debilitating symptoms or addressing more serious health concerns like cancer. 

Clogged milk ducts are one of the primary causes of reported pain with breastfeeding! 

If you are dealing with a clogged milk duct check out our full blog on Clogged Milk ducts and evidence based treatment according to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 

Breastfeeding is a very personal journey, filled with triumphs and challenges. While many mothers may use breast pumps to express milk, learning the skill of hand expression can be empowering and beneficial. Whether you’re managing an oversupply, dealing with engorgement, or simply want a convenient, pump-free way to express milk, hand expression is a valuable tool for every nursing mother.

In the United States, about 50 million men have had a vasectomy and more than 500,000 men are electing to have one every year. (1) This rate has increased by 26% between 2014 and 2021 and while the reasons for the surgery may vary, one factor is the ease at which vasectomies are now conducted, with the option for an office-based minimally invasive procedure that is quick to perform and can be done under local anesthesia.(2)

Prostatitis is a disorder of the prostate gland typically involving inflammation of the prostate and sometimes the surrounding area. 

I often get asked by patients what they can do to improve success with Lactation during pregnancy so below are my 3 recommendations:

As a Pelvic PT there are 3 main things I look at: 

1. Pushing Strategy: being effective with both open and closed glottis pushing strategies and utilizing each pushing strategy to control desired pressure and intensity. 

nfertility affects 72.4 million people worldwide, which can result in emotional distress and unexpected challenges on the path to parenthood.

Infertility is a dysfunction in the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve or maintain a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse for those <35 years old, and after 6 months of trying for those over 35 years old.

Heavy Lifters focus on their breathing and muscle performance to achieve incredible power and strength, the same is true for pushing a baby out. The combination of your pushing strategy with coordination of core compression and pelvic floor relaxation is key for effective pushes!

Today on the blog we are discussing pushing strategies!

There are 2 types of pushing strategies used during the second stage of labor, Closed or Open glottis and both can either be coached or occur spontaneously.