Valentine’s Day is here—why not show yourself some love this year by prioritizing your pelvic health?
It is so easy to forget to take care of ourselves, especially if we are caring for others constantly, day after day. But your health—mental, emotional, physical, and pelvic!—is essential to your longevity. Taking care of yourself today is an investment in your future. Put your pelvic health first this month and treat yourself with some of my favorite pelvic health products.*
- Slippery Stuff Personal Lubricant: This is my favorite water-based lubricant for sexy time with yourself or with a partner! It is an unconventional choice because Slippery Stuff is widely used by pelvic health professionals like myself, but it is less well-known by the general public. So why do pelvic PTs love this stuff? It stays put! While other lubricants seem to just disappear the minute they hit your body, Slippery Stuff stays where you put it and provides a smooth experience from start to finish. I use this lube at work to provide friction-free pelvic exams, and I use it at home, too!
- Handheld Bidet Toilet Sprayer: We installed this handheld bidet so that we could rinse off our baby’s cloth diapers directly in the toilet without getting our hands dirty. But now that we have it, we use it for its intended purpose, too! Let me tell you, it makes all the difference! No more rough toilet paper scratching across my little booty hole, and no more endless wiping. Plus, you’ll save on toilet paper!
- Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Insulated Water Bottle: Why is a water bottle in a post about pelvic health? Because staying hydrated is essential for your bladder, bowel, and sexual health! When we drink the right amount of fluids, we prevent constipation and bladder irritation. Plus, we ensure our tissues have enough hydration to get and stay lubricated in the bedroom. It’s a lot easier to drink water when we have a water bottle on hand at all times. I personally use this water bottle everyday because 1) It keeps my water cold all day long, 2) it holds 40 oz, meaning I only have to fill it twice a day (once in the morning and once in the early afternoon) to meet my water goal, 3) it is sturdy and holds up to my clumsiness, and 4) you can choose from a variety of lids that suit your preferences.
- Come as You Are: This book transformed my sex life in the best ways possible. It isn’t a collection of new positions or kinky gimmicks to spice things up. This is a book that helps you actually understand the psychology and science of sex. You deserve this book and all of the gems it will shower upon you. Get it. There’s nothing else to say.
- Poo-Pouri: If you avoid pooping in public because you are worried about making a stink, this is the solution for you. Just spray it in the toilet before you go, and voilà! No stink! It is small enough to fit in a purse or back pack, and it comes in a variety of scents. Why is this a self-love gift? Well, holding in your poops can actually be detrimental to your pelvic health! In fact, ignoring the urge to poop can lead to constipation and pelvic floor tension. Give yourself the gift of stress-free, stink-free poops. You deserve to poop when you need to!
- Squatty Potty: Humans were not designed for toilets. Toilets were not designed for humans. When we sit on a toilet, we put ourselves in a position that is counterproductive. The best position is what many people around the world do on a daily basis: a deep squat. Unfortunately, in many Western societies, this position has been made inaccessible due to the advent of the toilet. Hurray for sanitation and modern plumbing. Boo for stiff hips and unhappy poops. The squatty potty fixes all that by getting your knees higher than your hips, putting your pelvic floor in an optimal position to relax and let go. No more straining, no more pain. Everyone needs a squatty potty!
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I hope you can carve out time for yourself and your pelvic health this month and every month. You deserve it!
*This post is not a paid ad! All of my recommendations are given simply because I want you to be happier and healthier! However, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on the links above and then purchase the product I recommended, I get a couple pennies to rub together at the end of the day. Thank you for supporting my one-woman show in this small way!
Rhea Physical Therapy provides at-home pelvic health care to women and children in the St. Louis, MO area. Rhea PT is owned and operated by Dr. Savannah Carlson, PT, DPT, RYT. Dr. Carlson is a pelvic health specialist who is dedicated to helping her clients overcome pelvic floor dysfunction so they can reach their full potential at home, work, and play. The information provided on “But First, Pelvic Health” is for educational purposes only and should not be used as personalized medical advice.
But first, Pelvic Health. 