281: Leaking, Pressure, and Hip Pain: It's Not Just Aging

Leaking, pressure, and hip pain: it's not just aging.If you've been quietly living with any of those symptoms and assuming it's just what happens to women's bodies over time, this episode is going to change that story. Dr. Mary Alice Vetter is a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in pelvic floor care, and what she sees in her practice every day is women who were told their symptoms were normal, not treatable. She calls them "the usuals." Her patients get sent home with a diagnosis, a shrug, and the expectation that they'll just manage around it. Most of them have been doing that for years.This conversation covers the full picture of pelvic floor health in midlife, including what prolapse actually is, who it affects, what the symptoms are, and why so many of those symptoms get misread as hip problems, back problems, or just aging. It also covers the connection between estrogen, menopause, and pelvic floor dysfunction, which is something most women have never been told.And if you've ever been told to do your Kegels and wondered why they're not helping, or suspected they might actually be making things worse, Mary Alice addresses that directly. The answer is probably not what you were expecting.She works virtually, so geography is not a barrier. You'll find her information in the show notes below.WHAT YOU'LL LEARNWhat pelvic floor dysfunction actually looks like in midlife women, including the symptoms that have nothing to do with leaking that most women are completely missingWhy prolapse is far more common than women think, what the different types are, and what your options are beyond just "waiting to see if surgery is necessary"Why Kegels might not be the answer, and what Mary Alice actually prescribes first to every single patient regardless of what's going onThe Listener Takeaway: Why This Episode MattersMost women over 40 who are dealing with pelvic floor issues have been told some version of "this is just what happens." They leave their doctor's appointments without a real explanation, without a path forward, and often with a low-level shame about something they didn't cause and don't know how to fix. This episode removes the information gap and replaces it with something more useful: a clearer picture of what's actually happening in the body, what the options are, and the knowledge that what feels embarrassing to talk about is actually incredibly common and very treatable.If any part of your body has been talking to you in ways you've been ignoring, this episode gives you the language, the framework, and the permission to stop waiting.RESOURCESDr. Mary Alice Vetter, Cornerstone Pelvic Health: @cornerstonepelvichealth on InstagramFree 3-minute quiz: find out what's getting in the way of your health follow-throughEpisode 208: Menopause Survival Guide Pt. 1 — Why We Feel StuckEpisode 209: Menopause Survival Guide Pt. 2 — The Lifestyle Shifts That Actually WorkEpisode 205: How Body Image Changes in MidlifeEpisode 280:  Why "Having to Go" Isn't Just About Water Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you. I submitted a talk for SXSW 2027: Biohacking Is Just Dieting in a Lab Coat. Community voting runs through August 23rd, and it's part of what determines who gets on stage in Austin next March. If this resonates, I'd love your vote: CLICK HERE. Free account required, takes about a minute. If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.