Frequently asked questions

A pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) is a licensed physical therapist with advanced training in the assessment and treatment of conditions related to the pelvic floor muscles, organs, and surrounding structures. This includes issues like urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, and difficulties with sexual function, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. Unlike a standard PT, a pelvic PT uses internal and external manual therapy techniques alongside education and exercise.

In many US states and countries, you can self-refer to a physical therapist without a doctor's referral (this is called 'direct access'). However, some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage. It's always worth checking with your insurer directly. For Dr. Wendy's digital products, no referral is needed—they're educational resources you can access immediately.

Common? Yes. Normal? Not necessarily. Stress urinary incontinence (leaking with impact, coughing, or sneezing) is very prevalent—especially postpartum or during menopause—but it's not an inevitable part of being a woman. It's treatable. Pelvic floor PT and targeted rehabilitation can significantly reduce or resolve stress incontinence for most people. If you're experiencing this, a pelvic PT assessment is a great starting point.

The digital guides and programs are designed for general educational use by adult women. That said, everyone's body and health history is different. If you have an active injury, recent surgery, pelvic organ prolapse, significant pelvic pain, or have just given birth, please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. The content is educational, not a substitute for individualized medical care.

After checkout, you'll receive an email with download or access links for PDF guides. Video programs are accessible via a link provided in your confirmation email or through your Shopify account. All products are yours to keep permanently—there's no subscription or expiry date. If you have any access issues, contact us through the website.

Due to the instant-access nature of digital products, all sales are final once the product has been delivered. However, if you're experiencing a genuine technical issue or believe you received the wrong product, please reach out via the contact page and we'll make it right. See the full refund policy for details.

Estrogen plays a huge role in pelvic floor and bladder health. As estrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, many women experience changes including increased urinary urgency or frequency, vaginal dryness, reduced elasticity of pelvic tissues, and increased susceptibility to pelvic organ prolapse. The good news is that targeted pelvic floor rehabilitation, lifestyle strategies, and (for some) hormone therapy can significantly improve these symptoms. It's never too late to start.

The old 'wait 6 weeks and you're cleared' advice is outdated and overly simplistic. Return to exercise after birth depends on the type of birth, any complications, how your body is recovering, and what exercise you're returning to. Walking and gentle movement can start very early for most people. High-impact activity like running, jumping, or heavy lifting typically requires more recovery—often 12+ weeks—and should be symptom-guided. Dr. Wendy's 'Return to Running Postpartum' guide covers this in detail.

Not at all! While Kegel exercises (pelvic floor contractions) are one tool, pelvic floor rehabilitation is much broader. It includes learning to fully relax and lengthen the pelvic floor (equally important), breath work, coordination of the pelvic floor with the deep core, load management, and addressing contributing factors like posture, movement patterns, and overall strength. Some people actually have pelvic floors that are too tense, and doing more Kegels would make things worse.

Both can cause symptoms—and both are common. Hypertonic (too tight) pelvic floors often present with pelvic pain, pain with penetration, constipation, or urinary urgency. A hypotonic (too weak) pelvic floor more commonly shows up as leaking or heaviness. The challenge is that symptoms can overlap, and many people have both areas of tightness and weakness. This is why a proper assessment by a trained pelvic PT is so valuable—they can determine what's actually happening and tailor treatment accordingly.