Beyond Kegels: What Real Pelvic Pain Care Looks Like with Elizabeth Akincilar & Stephanie Prendergast

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Ginger Garner is joined by pelvic health pioneers Stephanie Prendergast and Elizabeth “Liz” Akincilar, co-founders of the Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center (PHRC), for an honest and insightful conversation on pelvic pain, sexual health, and the ongoing gaps in healthcare education and treatment.Together, they discuss why conditions like vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, vaginismus, pudendal neuralgia, and painful sex are still frequently misunderstood or dismissed, leaving many patients feeling unheard and medically gaslit. Stephanie and Liz share their perspectives on what comprehensive pelvic health care should actually look like, why pelvic floor dysfunction is about far more than just muscles, and how providers can better support patients through informed, compassionate, interdisciplinary care.The episode also explores advocacy, patient empowerment, and the future of pelvic health education — from improving clinician training to expanding pelvic health access globally.Read the blog post here!Resources:PelvicPainRehab.comPelvic Pain Explained: What You Need to KnowSubscribe to their blogInstagram @PelvicHealthTikTok @PelvicPainRehabYouTube Channel: PelvicHealthFacebook: Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation CenterLinkedIn: Stephanie Prendergast & Elizabeth AtkincilarJackson Clinics Foundation (Where Elizabeth teaches the Pelvic Health Program in Kenya) - Donate to their PT program in NairobiTight LippedInternational Pelvic Pain Society ISSWSH - International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual HealthMaterna MedicalMilli DilatorKiwi Pelvic Floor MassagerEnjoying The Vocal Pelvic Floor? Leave us a review!Reviews help more people discover the podcast and keep these critical discussions going! Thanks for your support—you’re helping grow this community and amplify the voices that need to be heard. 💛-If you’ve found value in the content we share on women’s and pelvic health—including topics like endometriosis and pelvic pain—please consider supporting the show with a contribution. Your support helps us continue producing high-quality, evidence-based episodes. At this time, we don’t receive any funding to create the podcast, and production costs are coming entirely out of pocket. Every bit of support makes a meaning.Support the show