If I could get every woman and teen to understand one thing, it would be this:

You do not need to have had a baby to need pelvic floor therapy.
You just need symptoms. That’s it.

And I say that confidently because I was that person too.

Before I became a pelvic PT, I struggled with painful periods, urinary frequency, and pelvic symptoms — and instead of being given options, I was simply handed birth control and told, “This is normal.”

No one ever mentioned pelvic floor therapy.
No one ever explained inflammation, lymphatic flow, or pelvic muscle tension.
No one ever asked why I was getting up to pee 3–4 times a night or why I panicked if I didn’t know where the nearest bathroom was.

I just dealt with it.
And that’s exactly why I speak so strongly about early conservative care now.

The Pelvic Floor Doesn’t Only Change After Childbirth

Postpartum changes are just one scenario where pelvic floor therapy helps — but there are so many others.

Your pelvic floor responds to:

• inflammation
• hormones
• stress
• bowel habits
• posture and movement
• pelvic congestion
• pain
• surgery
• breathing mechanics
• lymphatic flow

None of those require childbirth to become dysfunctional.

If you have a pelvis, you have a pelvic floor.
If you have symptoms, your pelvic floor is involved.

Painful Periods Are NOT Normal — They’re Early Information

Painful periods are one of the first signs that something in the pelvic system needs support. This is the time when conservative care should start — not years later.

When patients (including teens and young adults) tell me they’ve been having “bad periods” since middle school or high school, I hear:

• inflammation
• pelvic floor tension
• hormonal imbalance
• lymphatic congestion
• bowel pressure
• nervous system sensitivity

Not “that’s just how it is.”

If someone had told me this earlier, my whole story would’ve looked different.

Why Painful Cycles Happen — And How the Pelvic Floor Plays a Role

Painful periods often come from a mix of:

1. Inflammation

Inflammation increases cramping intensity and makes tissues more reactive.

2. Pelvic floor tension

When the pelvis hurts, the muscles guard — which makes everything more painful.

3. Bowel involvement

Constipation or poor emptying puts pressure on the pelvic floor and uterus.

4. Lymphatic congestion

If you don’t clear inflammatory waste well, period symptoms worsen.

5. Stress and nervous system overdrive

The brain-body connection plays a huge role in pelvic pain.

Again — none of this requires pregnancy to start.

Signs You Need Pelvic Floor Therapy (No Matter Your Age or Reproductive History)

You may benefit from pelvic PT if you have:

• painful periods
• stabbing pelvic pain
• urinary urgency or frequency
• getting up to pee at night
• bloating that feels pressure-like
• constipation or difficulty emptying
• pain with intimacy or tampon insertion
• low back, SI, or hip pain
• feelings of heaviness or tightness
• difficulty relaxing your pelvic muscles

These symptoms are not “normal woman issues.”
They’re treatable and shouldn’t be ignored.

Why Early Conservative Care Matters

One of the biggest myths is that pelvic floor therapy is only for postpartum women. That belief keeps so many people suffering unnecessarily.

Early pelvic PT:

• prevents chronic pain
• decreases inflammation
• supports hormonal balance
• improves bowel and bladder function
• reduces pelvic floor overactivity
• improves long-term pelvic health
• builds a strong foundation before pregnancy (if it’s part of your future)

The earlier we address symptoms, the easier they are to resolve.

And I am living proof.

My Story — And Why I Advocate So Strongly for You

Before I had any children, I finally went through pelvic floor therapy myself.
And I no longer:

• get up 3–4 times a night
• worry about where the nearest bathroom is
• live in fear of long car rides
• feel “on edge” around my cycle
• accept pelvic symptoms as normal

It changed my life long before I ever considered having a family.

And that’s why I tell every patient: You probably won’t be told to go to pelvic PT — so you have to advocate for yourself.
If your body is telling you something, you deserve support.
Not a dismissal.
Not a band-aid.
Not “just deal with it.”

What Treatment Looks Like With Me

My holistic approach includes:

• pelvic floor retraining
• lymphatic drainage
• diaphragmatic + rib mechanics
• core coordination and SI stability
• bowel and bladder mechanics
• fascial and scar mobility
• nervous system down-training
• cycle-specific education
• personalized home strategies

We treat the whole system, not just one muscle.

You Deserve Care Before Symptoms Become Chronic

You don’t need to have had a baby to seek help.

You just need to be tired of feeling this way.

Painful periods, urinary frequency, pelvic pain, and bloating are not something you have to live with — and the sooner we address them, the faster your body can heal.