Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Kristina Calligan, FNP

Do you experience painful intercourse? One of the potential issues may involve your pelvic floor muscles! 

Lovelace Cancer Center says, "Painful sex is never normal and 52% of women up to six months post-breast cancer treatment report sexual dysfunction and 19-26% continue to report sexual dysfunction five to 10 years after their diagnosis. Painful sex can be caused by decreased lubrication, hormone changes, muscle tightness, joint dysfunction, muscle weakness or imbalances and nerve entrapment. A pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate and treat your symptoms and give a specialized exercise and stretching program to improve sexual function."

Johns Hopkins Medicine says there are several symptoms that can be helped through the use of pelvic floor physical therapy.

• Sexual dysfunction, including pain with sexual activity, pelvic exams or tampon insertion, and decreased or overactive arousal symptoms.
• Bladder problems, including leakage, urgency, frequency, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary retention and pain with bladder filling or emptying.
• Bowel problems, including chronic constipation, difficulty passing a bowel movement, incomplete emptying, increased bowel urgency, and pain with bowel movements.
• Pelvic pain including pain in the pelvic joints associated with transitions or increased activity level; pain in the tailbone, lower abdomen, lower back, groin, buttock, hip or genitals.
• Pelvic organ prolapse which is the feeling of pelvis pressure or heaviness

A pelvic floor physical therapist is a licensed physical therapist who has gone through specialized training to be able to evaluate, assess and treat the pelvic floor and its associated problems.  When searching for a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist, you might also consider asking them if they have had experience with other oncology patients. 

Shared with love by Jan James, Hope After Breast Cancer

Find out more about our private Facebook support groups (Booby Buddies, Hope After Breast Cancer, Sex After Breast Cancer, Booby Buddies en español) here.

Joining our Newsletter List will give you a monthly recap of our best content, as well as information about available training and support.

Subscribe to our Hope After Breast Cancer Podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

Please help me provide more content to our community by buying me a cup of coffee (or two) at Buy Me A Coffee. And please pray for my efforts to have significance in the lives of the women we serve! Thank you!

Disclaimer: While professional experts and the Company address health issues and the information provided on this Website and its components relates to medical and/or health issues, the information provided is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation.