Ep #181: Pelvic Floor Exercises with Jana Danielson

Leaking urine? Painful sex? Constipation? TMJ? Back Pain?They can all be related to the musculoskeletal or genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Simply, tightness and/or dysfunction in the pelvic floor.In this interview, Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist, published menopause researcher, author, menopause educator, and co-founder of wearemorphus.com, talks with Jana Danielson, a wellness entrepreneur, Pilates educator, and creator of the Cooch Ball pelvic floor training tool.Topics:Pelvic Health and the Body's Connection: The discussion of how the pelvic floor is an integrated structure, not a standalone group of muscles.The Pelvic Floor and Core: The interview explains the anatomy of the pelvic floor and how it can function optimally (watch it on YouTube for visuals).The Importance of Breathing and Posture: A core theme is that breathing is the most fundamental pelvic floor strategy, and optimal posture is also key to pelvic floor function.Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Misconceptions: Jana challenges the belief that dysfunction is "normal" during aging, stating that "common is not normal." Stressing that a too-tight (hypertonic) muscle is just as dysfunctional as a weak one.The Cooch Ball and the Release-Rebuild Method: The Cooch Ball method focuses on 30 days of "release only" to promote blood flow to the tissue, followed by a rebuild phase using exercises that integrate the pelvic floor with other muscles in the body.Impact on Libido and Orgasm: Andrea and Jana discuss how improving blood flow and releasing tension in the pelvic tissues can increase libido and the ability to have pleasure.The Pudendal Nerve and Shame: The Latin root of the word "pudendal" means "an area of shame", and this emotional context is connected to the lack of discussion and understanding of pelvic health.Links:Cooch Ball for Menopause: https://bit.ly/4kNiWQF Cooch Ball for Perimenopause: https://bit.ly/4tOmA0zCooch Ball for Intimacy: https://bit.ly/3OoBg6ACooch Ball For Women: https://bit.ly/4qGRF3OCooch Ball For Men: https://bit.ly/402Arme (great for men experiencing erectile dysfunction or dribbling)Pelvic Health Survey: https://forms.gle/RXM4BpFLtgP5m8nD9 Send us Fan Mail ======Morphus: Menopause Reimagined💊 Shop Morphus Supplements: https://wearemorphus.com/collections/all📖 Order "Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition & Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best." (Simon & Schuster, May 5, 2026)Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4xaREJK Amazon US: https://amzn.to/4rFj7jk 📰 As seen in USA Today: https://bit.ly/43nrMwO  ✅ Fill out our surveys: https://bit.ly/4jcVuLh🦋 SUBSCRIBE to our list: https://bit.ly/3VdDA0VFOLLOW US: TikTok @andreadonsky & @wearemorphusInstagram: @wearemorphus | @andreadonskyFacebook: /wearemorphusDISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. This podcast contains affiliate links; Morphus may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.