Gender Confirmation Rehabilitation

Physical therapy can improve healing time, maximize outcomes, and improve quality of life.

Sexual reassignment surgery is a very exciting stage in one’s life as it is the time when the outer self takes the next step to match the true inner self. Following surgery, obstacles can arise limiting the healing process. Some of these hurdles can include:

• Pelvic pain
• Difficulty using/progressing dilators
• Urinary incontinence
• Voiding dysfunction
• Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Decreased sexual response

Many of these issues are linked to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction as the muscles and tissues are healing from surgery. In some cases, top half/breast surgery can also lead to trunk and pelvic tissue mobility deficits causing fascial restrictions and pelvic pain. Pelvic physical therapy can restore the muscle and tissue integrity to enhance the recovery process. During the initial pelvic physical therapy assessment, a comprehensive evaluation will be taken to identify the root musculoskeletal and neuromuscular causes of symptoms and associated limitations. Trunk, pelvic and extremity tissue mobility will be assessed along with breathing patterns, posture and muscle strength. Then, an individual treatment plan will be created with specific patient centered goals which may include:

• Postural training
• Connective tissue treatment throughout trunk and pelvis
• Internal and external manual therapy to release pelvic tension
• Prescription and detailed instructions of dilators and/or pelvic floor muscle tools
• Nerve glides
• Myofascial release
• Visceral manipulation
• Toileting mechanics
• Breathing, stretching, and strengthening pelvic specific exercises

It is gold standard to undergo physical therapy after orthopedic surgeries, and it should be the same standard for sexual reassignment surgeries. Getting to know new anatomy can be a daunting process, let our expert Physical Therapists with advanced board certification in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy help in rehabilitation after sexual reassignment surgeries. Please contact Sarton Physical Therapy with any questions or to have your patients schedule and appointment.