The Pelvic Floor Project

In this episode I discuss with Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn:

• The menstrual cycle and changes that characterize the menopause transition
• The role of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone 
• The various symptoms experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause (not just hot flashes!)
• What can someone expect when they book an appointment with a naturopathic doctor
• Do hormones need to be tested?
• The menopause transition has traditionally carried a ‘doomsday’ feeling but is actually light at the end of the tunnel?

Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn is a Naturopathic Doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, educator and co-founder of the Okanagan Women’s Clinic in Kelowna BC Canada. She has a clinical focus in women’s hormonal health. Helping women go from tired, stressed, and feeling victim to their hormones to energized, balanced, and in control. She aims to help women feel vibrant, resilient, and energized throughout every phase and transition of life.

 She works hard to provide realistic, comprehensive and evidence-based care for her patients where they feel heard and respected. She believes that through education doctors can play an important role in supporting and empowering patients to achieve their health goals

 She obtained her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (now CCNM-Boucher) where she obtained the clinical excellence award upon graduation. Dr. Schamerhorn is a member and certified practitioner of The Menopause Society (previously North American Menopause Society - NAMS). As an educator, she provides talks to both the public and other healthcare professionals. She has educated clinicians in multiple capacities and is a previous instructor at the Naturopathic Medical School in Vancouver. She has completed multiple additional trainings focusing in both general health and women’s health, including training in hormone therapy and lactation/breastfeeding.

 Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Schamerhorn can be found adventuring outside with her young family. She can usually be found with a coffee in hand and too many books on the go.

 Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn is currently accepting patients in person in Kelowna BC and is available for virtual care for anyone in BC.

HOW TO CONTACT BRITTANY

Instagram

[email protected]

 www.drbrittanyschamerhorn.com

LINKS MENTIONED:

The uterine cycle

Uterine cycle changes during menopause transition

ADDITIONAL EPISODES ON THE TOPIC:

79. This isn’t about menopause, it’s about your health with Shirley Weir

43. Perimenopause and menopause with Michelle Lyons

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Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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This episode is meant to follow Episode #96, Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, urinary issues, pain and the prostate with Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho. 

In this episode with fellow physiotherapist, Corinne Wade, we discuss the physiotherapy approach to addressing some of the most common pelvic floor related symptoms that men experience. 

• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature ejaculation
• Urinary issues 
• Genital and pelvic pain 
• Prostate related issues 

Corinne Wade is a registered physiotherapist with 25 years' experience in pelvic floor physiotherapy.  She has worked in both the USA and Canada.  She is the proud owner of her own Pelvic Health clinic in Kelowna, BC called Kare Physiotherapy,   She treats conditions such as urinary/fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and sexual health issues for all genders.  Corinne is passionate about mythbusting and breaking the taboos around topics such as poo, pee and sex!

How to Contact Corinne
www.karephysio.com

 Instagram

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Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In this episode I sit down with Kelowna based Urologist, Dr. Matthew Ho to discuss: 

• What you can expect at a Urology appointment
• Diagnostic tests commonly ordered 
• Common reasons men are referred to a urologist and treatment suggestions that may be provided 
• Urinary issues
  • Storage issues (frequency, urge, incontinence, pain, nighttime urination)
  • Issues with emptying (weak flow, straining, blockage, stop/start, not fully emptying)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Genital pain
• Premature ejaculation
• Prostate related issues

Physiotherapy is a common treatment recommendation, stay tuned for the next episode where I cover the physiotherapy approach to the above symptoms 

Dr. Matthew Ho is a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-certified Urologist practicing in Kelowna, BC.  Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., he attended the University of British Columbia for undergraduate studies and medical school. He completed his Urology residency in Vancouver and subsequently moved to Chicago for an accredited fellowship in Urologic Oncology. While he specializes in urologic cancers, Dr. Ho sees patients with the whole spectrum of urologic concerns.

How to Contact Dr. Matthew Ho

Website - www.homdurology.ca

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In this episode I sit down with dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon, Dr. Ritha Belizaire to discuss: 

• What are hemorrhoids? 
• What causes anal fissures?
• Anal itchiness
• How the pelvic floor is related to these conditions
• Treatment options including creams, physio, botox, stress management, bowel hygiene, surgery and more

Dr. Ritha Belizaire is a dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon in Houston, Texas and the owner of Houston Community Surgical, a solo colorectal surgery private practice. She is passionate about providing accessible, inclusive surgical care. Dr. Belizaire is an expert in colorectal related pelvic floor disorders such as rectal prolapse, fecal incontinence, chronic constipation and benign anorectal disorders and works closely with pelvic floor physical therapists to provide multidisciplinary, holistic care to her patients.

How to contact Rita
www.houstoncommunitysurgical.com
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
 
THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS
SRC: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

PELVIC HEALTH SUPPLIES: https://pelvichealthsupplies.com/ with discount code: podcast15

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In this episode I sit down with speech language pathologist (SLP) Ashley Michaelis to discuss: 

• Similarities between the voice box and pelvic floor 
• Relationship between voice, breathing and pelvic floor
• Missed connections in the research
• Ways we can use the pelvic floor to train the voice and the voice to train the pelvic floor
• How sounds we make in birth influence the pelvic floor
• Noises we make in sport to increase performance 

Ashley Michaelis (she/her/hers) embarked on her undergraduate journey in Voice Performance & Music Education at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. During her studies, she encountered personal voice challenges which led her to discover Speech-Language Pathology. Motivated to assist others in rehabilitating their voices, Ashley changed her major and pursued her graduate degree at the University of Wyoming.
 
Her professional journey has included diverse settings such as private practice, schools, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and multidisciplinary clinics. Ashley has also shared her expertise by teaching the Voice Disorders graduate level class at the University of Vermont. Her specialized areas encompass singing voice rehabilitation, voice disorders, swallowing disorders, upper airway disorders, and neurogenic communication disorders.
 
Recognized for her achievements, Ashley is an ASHA Ace Award Recipient and serves as a Lead Mentor for the MedSLP Collective. She has been a featured guest on podcasts including Swallow Your Pride and Start Your Private Practice.
 
Outside of her career, Ashley enjoys spending quality time with her family and dogs, as well as participating in local community theater performances.
 
How to contact Ashley
www.empoweredvoicerehab.org

Instagram

Facebook

LINKS MENTIONED:

Pelvic floor screening tool:  www.pelvicsanity.com/screening

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS
SRC: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

PELVIC HEALTH SUPPLIES: https://pelvichealthsupplies.com/ with discount code: podcast15

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In this episode I sit down with physiotherapist and olympic weight lifter, Brittney Klingmann and Dietician Melissa Hardy to discuss: 

• Common symptoms women experience (tired, low mood, decreased performance, low libido, pelvic floor symptoms)
• How do we know if they are due to hormones, stress. Lack of sleep, nutritional deficiency?
• The difference between RED (relative energy deficiency) and LEA (low energy availability)
• Low energy availability in the perinatal, athletic, perimenopausal populations

Melissa Hardy is a sport dietitian and private practice owner at East Coast Performance Nutrition located in Antigonish Nova Scotia. Melissa holds board certified designations as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), and has also obtained a graduate diploma in sports nutrition through the International Olympic Committee.

Find Melissa here:
www.eastcoastperformancenutrition.com
Instagram

Brittany Klingmann is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan.

In 2019 she relocated to Halifax and joined the Young Kempt Physiotherapy team.  Since that time she has continued her professional development by taking courses specializing in pelvic health, as well as manual and manipulative therapy.  She has also completed her CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course.

Brittany has a unique area of interest and ability  in helping those involved in functional fitness and barbell sports understand the role of the pelvic floor as part of a system and supporting rehabilitation of the deep abdominals. She also instruct a small group Ab/Rehab course, which focuses on improving the function of the abdominal canister as it applies to exercise. She has the wonderful opportunity to blend the worlds of orthopedics and pelvic health working with clients through Young Kempts satellite clinic at Ironstone Strength and Conditioning.

Find Brittney here:
 youngkemptphysiotherapy.com
Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:
Resources:
BSJM podcast has a REDS series
REDS CAT 2
IOC consensus statement on REDS

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS
SRC: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

PELVIC HEALTH SUPPLIES: https://pelvichealthsupplies.com/ with discount code: podcast15

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In part 2 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny Rabinovich to discuss:

• Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues 
• The Sexual Health Education curriculum 
• Middle years and high school focus focus (grades 7-12) 
• healthy vs unhealthy relationships
• consent
• sexual decision making
• contraception 
• prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
• Suggestions for parents (how to ask them what they are learning at school and supplement their learning at home)

Jenny is mom to two amazing teenagers and is currently a Sexual Health Education Teacher with the Central Okanagan Public School District and has been for the last 18 years. She has both her Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree minoring in sciences, as well as her Bachelor of Education degree from UBC Vancouver. She has taken numerous workshops with Options for Sexual Health and the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health. As a Sexual Health Educator, she teaches all students in grades 4 through 11. In grades 4-6, her teaching focuses on subjects like the physical, social, and emotional changes of puberty, hygiene and personal safety and boundaries. In older grades, teaching focuses on digital awareness, healthy and unhealthy relationships, sexual decision making, contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and, most importantly, consent. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Sexual Health Resources (School district 23)

needhelpnow.ca

Cybertip.ca

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Check out SRC health for their high quality line of compression shorts and leggings: https://srchealth.com/
Use code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT for 10% off your order

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

Support the show

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In part 1 of this 2 part episode, I sit down with Sexual Health Education Teacher, Jenny to discuss:

• Ways that habits, beliefs and knowledge from our childhood carries forward to adult related pelvic floor issues 
• The Sexual Health Education curriculum 
• Elementary years focus (grades 4-6) 
• puberty education (periods, hormones, pimples, hair, body odour)
• reproduction and pregnancy
• hygiene (vulvar and penile considerations)
• personal safety/consent for touch (self touch, good vs bad secrets) 
• Suggestions for parents (how to ask them what they are learning at school and supplement their learning at home)

Jenny is mom to two amazing teenagers and is currently a Sexual Health Education Teacher with the Central Okanagan Public School District and has been for the last 18 years. She has both her Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree minoring in sciences, as well as her Bachelor of Education degree from UBC Vancouver. She has taken numerous workshops with Options for Sexual Health and the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health. As a Sexual Health Educator, she teaches all students in grades 4 through 11. In grades 4-6, her teaching focuses on subjects like the physical, social, and emotional changes of puberty, hygiene and personal safety and boundaries. In older grades, teaching focuses on digital awareness, healthy and unhealthy relationships, sexual decision making, contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and, most importantly, consent. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Sexual Health Resources (School district 23)

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSOR
SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

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In this episode, I sit down with New Westminster BC based Urogynecologist, Dr. Merry Gong to discuss: 

• Operative vaginal birth (vacuum, forceps, episiotomy)
• What do these instruments look like and indications for their use
• Indications for operative vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birth
• Risks associated with vacuum and forceps
• Canada has the highest rates of obstetrical trauma
• C-section rates rising
• Ways to decrease rates of operative vaginal birth 
• Ways to support those with pelvic floor injuries after birth

Dr. Merry Gong completed her medical undergraduate training, residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of British Columbia.

She specializes in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence. She has a special interest in treating postpartum patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. She currently works at Royal Columbian Hospital performing pelvic reconstructive surgery and providing obstetrical services for high risk pregnancies.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Be Pelvic Health Aware: www.bepelvichealthaware.ca

Pelvic Floor Disorders Network of British Columbia: www.bcpfdn.net

IUGA website: yourpelvicfloor.org

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS
SRC: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

PELVIC HEALTH SUPPLIES: https://pelvichealthsupplies.com/ with discount code: podcast15

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, Lucy Snider to discuss:

• How the pelvic floor is related to previous sexual trauma
• What you can expect at a pelvic physiotherapy appointment
• What may take place at a psychotherapy appointment 
• What is EMDR therapy?
• Suggestions to help progress to pleasurable sexual activity
• How do you know when you are ready to process sexual trauma?
• Differences in how survivors process sexual trauma
• How previous sexual trauma may affect your preparation for birth

Lucy Snider (she/her) is an experienced Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapist and Sexual Health Educator based in Kelowna, BC. She has been working in the field of mental health since 2009. Originally from the UK, she spent 10 years in London working in sexual health for the British National Health Service (NHS) and in private practice. She received her master’s degree in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy from the renowned Tavistock Relationships training centre in London. Lucy has extensive training and experience in working with relationship and sexual difficulties, including with survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. She also has considerable experience in the field of sexual health and sex education.
Read more about Lucy here

How to contact Lucy:
www.bcsexualwellness.com
Instagram: @sexualwellness
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter: _sexualwellness 

Links mentioned:
 https://www.efryokanagan.com/ - support for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, including reporting, legal information, social support (housing, benefits etc.) and low cost counselling services
BC Crime Victim Assistance program - anyone who is a victim of a crime in BC is eligible to apply for CVAP which can cover the cost of counselling, you don't need to make a police report
www.connectcounsellingsociety.ca - partnership with Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA), run groups for both men and women i.e. Trauma Recovery: for Men - by Men, For those trying to navigate: PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, loss, & shame (attached)

www.kelownawomensshelter.com/

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS
SRC: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4

PELVIC HEALTH SUPPLIES: https://pelvichealthsupplies.com/ with discount code: podcast15

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

Support the show