How Pelvic Health Affects our Menstrual Cycle

Meet Kim, the Vagina Coach, an educator who uses exercise to help people recover from and prevent pelvic floor issues.

MSB: First, I’d love to hear a little about you! Where are you located, and how did you get involved with pelvic floor coaching?

K: It happened accidentally on purpose. I was afraid of giving birth and thought I wouldn’t have kids, but after I was married, I decided I wanted to have a family. I took some steps to prepare my body, including using a biofeedback device called the EPI-NO — that was the catalyst. I started selling that product, then started a website, and then had pelvic floor physiotherapists sending their clients to me to purchase an EPI-NO. It was supposed to be a side hustle and, in 2009, turned into a full-time hustle when I was laid off from my corporate job. I started working with pregnant women, and it has evolved to working with women through pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. I have online courses and programs and also do online coaching.

MSB: What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about what you do for a living?

K: Not everyone knows what I do or how I differ from a pelvic floor physiotherapist. I coined the term “vagina coach,” and it is not a profession that people know about! Basically, I help people with a vulva and a vagina overcome incontinence, prolapse, and core challenges with exercise.

MSB: We believe at My Sex Bio that an understanding of your body and your sexuality is key to finding inner peace. Do you agree? Why or why not?

K: I agree, 1000%. We need better body education that includes the pelvic floor, function, signs of dysfunction, contributors to dysfunction, and what to do to manage our pelvic health for life.

MSB: Does pelvic floor health affect the menstrual cycle?

K: Pelvic health can influence aspects of menstruation, and menstruation can influence aspects of pelvic health. Hormonal fluctuations affect our pelvic floor during our cycle. The week before our period and the week of, the estrogen levels are low and can mean symptoms associated with prolapse and incontinence can be more apparent. The uterus is heavier during your period, which can sometimes heighten symptoms related to prolapse in particular. For people who suffer from endometriosis or adenomyosis, there is often pain and bloating during menstruation, which can contribute to challenges with the pelvic floor.