70. Pain with Sex is Common- Not Normal with Dr. Amelia Ponchur
06/21/21 • 29 min
Welcome back to another Owning Your Sexual Self Podcast. This week I am joined with Dr. Amelia Ponchur to talk about the common issue of pain with sex.
Dr. Amelia Ponchur is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic health physical therapy at Genesis PT & Wellness in Dallas, TX. She utilizes her orthopedic and sports background to look at take a “whole person” approach when treating her patients, whose complaints range from low back pain, tailbone or pubic pain, to incontinence, painful intercourse, and preparing for childbirth. Sexual wellness is a huge component of her care and she is excited to chat about how the two are so interrelated!
*Sexual trauma can make sex painful whether we realize we've experienced it or not.
*Every patient who experiences painful sex is different based on what is going on in their body.
Factors that contribute to painful sex:
-How you're breathing
-How are your hips moving? (body motion)
-Is your pelvic floor response to be tight?
Next Steps...-Finding your awareness of the pelvic floor
-How can we strengthen or relax your pelvic floor?
Are you experiencing a feeling of dryness/rawness? Could this be an Estrogen issue?
Are you feeling pain with penetration, your pelvic floor may be too tense.
Is it pain with deeper penetration (sandpaper, burning sensation) there may be knots in the muscles that need to be worked out or positional problems.
Pain can be based on how you're breathing and the default rotation of your hips
"Vaginismus is the body's automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. Whenever penetration is attempted, your vaginal muscles tighten up on their own. You have no control over it. Occasionally, you can get vaginismus even if you have previously enjoyed painless penetrative sex." (https://www.nhs.uk)
A tool for people who experience pain from the deepest penetration of their partner
OhNut
"Designed with renowned clinicians, Ohnut is a soft compressible buffer made from 4 rings, that can be used together or individually to adjust when penetration feels too deep, without sacrificing sensation for you or your partner"
(https://ohnut.co/)
Instagram: @genesisptwellness
Dr. Amelia's Instagram: @dr.amelia_dpt
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Facebook Group: Owning Your Sexual Self
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
YouTube: YouTube.com/@OwningYourSexualSelf
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Email: [email protected]
Welcome back to another Owning Your Sexual Self Podcast. This week I am joined with Dr. Amelia Ponchur to talk about the common issue of pain with sex.
Dr. Amelia Ponchur is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic health physical therapy at Genesis PT & Wellness in Dallas, TX. She utilizes her orthopedic and sports background to look at take a “whole person” approach when treating her patients, whose complaints range from low back pain, tailbone or pubic pain, to incontinence, painful intercourse, and preparing for childbirth. Sexual wellness is a huge component of her care and she is excited to chat about how the two are so interrelated!
*Sexual trauma can make sex painful whether we realize we've experienced it or not.
*Every patient who experiences painful sex is different based on what is going on in their body.
Factors that contribute to painful sex:
-How you're breathing
-How are your hips moving? (body motion)
-Is your pelvic floor response to be tight?
Next Steps...-Finding your awareness of the pelvic floor
-How can we strengthen or relax your pelvic floor?
Are you experiencing a feeling of dryness/rawness? Could this be an Estrogen issue?
Are you feeling pain with penetration, your pelvic floor may be too tense.
Is it pain with deeper penetration (sandpaper, burning sensation) there may be knots in the muscles that need to be worked out or positional problems.
Pain can be based on how you're breathing and the default rotation of your hips
"Vaginismus is the body's automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration. Whenever penetration is attempted, your vaginal muscles tighten up on their own. You have no control over it. Occasionally, you can get vaginismus even if you have previously enjoyed painless penetrative sex." (https://www.nhs.uk)
A tool for people who experience pain from the deepest penetration of their partner
OhNut
"Designed with renowned clinicians, Ohnut is a soft compressible buffer made from 4 rings, that can be used together or individually to adjust when penetration feels too deep, without sacrificing sensation for you or your partner"
(https://ohnut.co/)
Instagram: @genesisptwellness
Dr. Amelia's Instagram: @dr.amelia_dpt
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Facebook Group: Owning Your Sexual Self
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
YouTube: YouTube.com/@OwningYourSexualSelf
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Email: [email protected]
Previous Episode
69. All About 69
Welcome back to a very special episode...episode 69!!! Today I'm answering all your questions about 69-ing.
What is 69-ing?
A general way of explaining it is; your mouth to their genitals and their mouth to your genitals at the same time.
How to initiate trying this position:
"I would like to return the favor at the same time"
Using a blindfold:
Taking away sight and heightening all your other senses.
Close your eyes, whatever feels natural.
Remember sex is awkward!
Positions for 69:
Side to side: allows for more flexibility
Female on top
Male on top
*Use a codeword!*
Toys:
You can still use toys when you 69!
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Facebook Group: Owning Your Sexual Self
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
YouTube: YouTube.com/@OwningYourSexualSelf
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Email: [email protected]
Next Episode
71. Vaginal Steaming with The Safe Slut
Welcome back to the Owning Your Sexual Self Podcast! This week I am joined with Tricia aka Safe Slut. She is a holistic esthetician, herbalist, reiki practitioner, MUA, writer, and sexual health+slut advocate (I usually just like to say a professional sparkly slut witch hehe✨). Tricia created safe slut after her GHSV2 diagnosis to help end shaming towards those with STIs, promote safer sex practices and sex-positivity, witch tips for healing+reclaiming your power, and also help end stigmas surrounding slut-shaming. She makes healing herbal potions for people with vulvas and STIs as well as offers reiki services
What is vaginal "yoni" steaming?
"Vaginal steaming, sometimes shortened to V-steaming, and also known as yoni steaming, is an alternative health treatment where a woman squats or sits over steaming water containing herbs such as mugwort, rosemary, wormwood, and basil. "
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginal_steaming)
Vaginal steaming supporters believe that absorbing herbal steam through the pores inside your body will enhance blood flow and promote healing.
*It's recommended to steam for about 15-20 minutes
Vaginal steaming is said to offer the following benefits:
- Detoxify the womb
- Regulate monthly bleeding
- Treatment for stress
- Increase fertility
- Relief from menopause symptoms
- Decrease fatigue
- Treatment for hemorrhoids
- Improve energy
- Faster healing after childbirth
- Decrease headaches
"In Southeast Asia, 86% of women reported using vaginal steaming for self-care and to help with healing after childbirth. Southern and Central American cultures have also promoted vaginal steaming as a healing remedy after birth to tone the womb and repair damaged tissue." (https://www.goodrx.com/blog/should-i-be-steaming-my-vagina/)
Herbs often used alone or in combination include:
- mugwort
- wormwood
- chamomile
- calendula
- basil
- oregano
How to yoni steam:
- Add about a cup of your chosen herbs to a basin of hot water.
- Let the herbs steep for at least a minute.
- Remove your clothes from the waist down.
- Stand or squat directly over the basin. Some people prefer to place the basin in the toilet and then sit on the toilet.
- Wrap a towel around your waist and legs to prevent the steam from escaping.
Risks:
- Possibility of burning
- Not safe If you have an IUD (can stimulate circulation and move things around)
- Not safe if you just had a miscarriage
- Not safe if you are trying to get pregnant
- Should not try if you are pregnant
- Not safe when you are spotting/bleeding
- Not safe if you have a UTI or any kind of infection
*You can also try the herbs in a bath
Connect with Tricia "Safe Slut"
Instagram: @safe.slut
Website: https://www.safeslut.shop/
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Facebook Group: Owning Your Sexual Self
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Rachel!
Instagram: @The_Rachel_Maine
Website: https://linktr.ee/WellnessSexpertise
YouTube: YouTube.com/@OwningYourSexualSelf
Facebook: Rachel Maine
Email: [email protected]
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