Why Mums Don't Jump

Menopause is having a moment, with celebrities, books and TV programmes taking on the taboo that has surrounded it for so long. But what does menopause (and perimenopause) mean for those of us with pelvic floor problems? Helen chats to a self-described ‘pelvic health nerd’ - the physiotherapist Michelle Lyons - about what’s going on, why knowledge is power and how best to manage your symptoms:

Michelle Lyons Website
Michelle Lyons Instagram

This episode is sponsored by Modibodi, the original period and leak-proof underwear brand. They have very kindly given us a discount code! Use WMDJ15 to get yourself 15% off (excluding sale items, bundles, maxi-24hrs and gift cards).

You can find Helen @whymumsdontjump on Instagram and Twitter or at www.whymumsdontjump.com

Helen is joined by Sara Duckett, a listener and a mum-of-two. Sara has struggled with urinary and bowel incontinence, as well as prolapse, since the birth of her first child in 2016, but says a non-surgical treatment (PTNS) has been life changing . They discuss the mental health impact of pelvic floor problems, the stigma that surrounds them and the importance of never giving up .

You can find more information about Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) here

You can listen to the Pelvic Floor Gadgets (Vadgets) episode here

This episode is sponsored by EVB Sport who make engineered clothing which supports women with prolapse or incontinence. They have very kindly given us a discount code! Use whymumsdon'tjump to get yourself 10% off.

Helen is joined by Elaine Miller (aka Gusset Grippers) - a fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and award winning comedian who's on a mission to tackle your pelvic floor...whilst making you laugh, which sounds counterintuitive but actually makes perfect sense!

They discuss the long-standing evidence behind kegels for stress incontinence (and for prolapse), why pelvic floor problems are a feminist issue and how using humour really can change lives.

Elaine is @gusset_grippers on Instagram

Tickets for Elaine's show at the Edinburgh Fringe are available here
You can find a 60 second pelvic floor squeeze-along here

It's a big day in Helen's pessary saga! After a year-long wait to be fitted for a vaginal pessary, she's offered a private appointment with a specialist in London.

In this episode, you'll hear what happens at a pessary fitting when Helen visits Tracey Matthews - a women's health physio, former British rower, strong woman, cross fitter and proud pessary wearer. She's passionate about the benefits of pessaries when it comes to helping women with pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence and walks Helen through an assessment. Helen leaves with a cube...but will her pelvic floor be up to the task?

Tracey talks about the shock of discovering her own prolapse after the birth of her first child, her decision to specialise in pessaries and why it's so important to end the stigma around them:

HUGE thanks to Tracey Matthews who is @prolapsestrength Instagram and part of the team at White Hart Clinic in London

For an easy guide to vaginal pessaries, read this blog

For more pessary chat listen to last seasons episode Vaginal Pessaries: A Deep Dive

Check out the new UK guidelines for patients and clinicians, which were mentioned in this episode

For more information about 3D printed pessaries of the future (!) go here

To see a video of a pessary fitting with Tracey go here

Everywoman is back!

After a sparkling launch in 2023, the Everywoman Festival is returning to Cardiff on Saturday June 15th, 2024!

The festival is about offering empowerment, support and education on health topics that may be difficult or considered taboo to talk about. This year there'll be a whopping six tents, with more than sixty expert speakers, drop-ins and workshops covering topics including menopause, pelvic health, sexual health, IBS, endometriosis, gender health inequalities, cancer survivorship and chronic conditions, as well as drop-in sessions, support groups, music, street food, burlesque and booby pompons!

Helen is an ambassador for the festival and in this special, bonus episode she's joined by fellow ambassadors: the GP and health educator Dr Aziza Sesay; pelvic health physiotherapist and creator of #SqueezeAlong, Suzanne Vernazza; Love Your Period founder and an activist living with a brain tumour, Molly Fenton; and Everywoman founder and colorectal consultant, Julie Cornish. They share their highlights from 2023 and what they're looking forward to this year.

You can buy tickets from The Everywoman Festival website

You can follow @theeverywomanfestival on Instagram