Adapting to Life with Infertility—from a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Herself

My Passion for Pelvic Floor PT

My own battle with pelvic pain and infertility due to (what I have been told is) Endometriosis surfaced before my passion for pelvic floor physical therapy began. I suffered with severe dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and SI joint pain for years, along with chronic fatigue and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis since grad school. I was fortunate to be influenced by my my late uncle, Dr. James Carter, who planted the seed for me to pursue a specialty in pelvic floor physical therapy. His passion soon became my passion, and I quickly sought out every continuing education course I could find.

I found an amazing mentor in order to learn not only about how to help patients, but to also solve my own pain puzzle. Pelvic floor physical therapy has been—and still is—an answer for me.

Pelvic floor physical therapy has been a Godsend that I can now start my period without any pain versus having to take medication or throwing up due to the high levels of pain.

My current treatment regimen consists of:

Pelvic floor PT treatment once per month (2 weeks before my period);
Eating clean and eliminating inflammatory foods; and
Adding in supplements that I was deficient in

My personal decision—and I want to emphasize that this does not insinuate it is the "right" decision for anyone else—was to forego surgery for my probable endo and use pelvic floor physical therapy and alternative treatment options.

My Battle With Infertility

While I was able to find solutions to keep my pain in check, I was, unfortunately, not able to overcome my infertility battle. To date, this fight has been one of the most challenging trials I have ever walked through. Multiple rounds of failed IVF and failed fertility treatment left me in one of the darkest valleys I have ever walked through. I ached to be a mama.

Miracles do occur. Out of this long trial came two of the most immeasurably bright blessings in my life—my children Kylie & Noah, who chose me as their mom through the miracle of adoption.

As hard as it was, my physical pain and emotional trauma have shaped my character and my understanding in a way that allows me to treat patients with genuine compassion and desire to help them acquire hope and healing for their own pelvic floor dysfunctions.

My Hope

It's not easy for me to open up about my personal pelvic floor experiences, but I feel that my platform as a pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of a clinic which treats patients for these very issues means it is important for me to share mine.

In sharing all of this, I want you to know that my love for this field stems from—and has grown because of—my own story of pain. I believe that there is no one better to walk alongside you than someone who has been on that path before to help guide you. To all who suffer from pelvic pain—whether from endo or whatever other pelvic pain condition you have—know there is hope.