Debra was in breast cancer treatment when she noticed that she was having pelvic pain. Her pain wasn’t constant, but she was uncomfortable.

Cancer treatment can cause many side effects. Symptoms such as weakness and fatigue are usually expected when you have chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, there are often other potentially sensitive side effects that are not as well known. Pelvic floor dysfunction is a term used to describe pain and disruption of bladder, bowel, and/or sexual function due to weakening or restrictions of the pelvis’s muscles and nerves.

When Debra asked her oncologist about the discomfort, she was referred to a urogynecologist with St. Elizabeth Physicians, to discuss treatment options.

“The doctor suggested I try pelvic floor therapy,” says Debra. “I had never heard of it, but if there was a solution that didn’t involve surgery, I was willing to try it.”

Pelvic floor therapy is performed by a specialty-trained physical therapist to improve the strength and function of your pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue work together to support the female organs and contribute to bladder and bowel control and sexual health.

“I was surprised at the improvement. Cancer treatment has made me more attuned to my body, health, and quality of life. Many women just accept that their body changes as they age.” said Debra. They may think “those days are over,” but there are natural things you can do to improve how your body functions.”

“The combination of menopause, age, and chemotherapy had changed how I experienced intimate moments,” says Debra. “It isn’t a topic many people talk about, but I am in my early sixties. When I heard that pelvic floor therapy could help, I was all for it—everyone with pelvic floor issues should try it.”

Debra is grateful to have a great care team at St. Elizabeth. “Luckily, I have had a successful outcome from my chemotherapy—and the supportive care at St. Elizabeth helped me seek out every expert to keep my quality of life before, during, and after cancer treatment.”

For more information on pelvic floor therapy, please visit stelizabeth.com/pelvicfloor.