Celebrate Muliebrity with Michelle Lyons

Hello & Welcome to the Podcast!In today's episode, I'm joined by Orla O'Doherty @thecliniccoach for a chat about using coaching skills for behaviour change, especially around physical activity in postpartum womenOrla shared her journey, including insights from her masters training in behaviour change and health coaching, explaining key frameworks such as COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour) and emphasising the importance of helping the people we work with identify their own goals, rather than prescriptively telling them what to do.We discussed practical strategies including goal setting, habit formation, motivation maintenance and the challenge of implementing these in clinical practice.We highlight how coaching skills can liberate the clinician's role from being a fixer to supporting the person's self-efficacy, noting that this approach not only helps the people we are working with, but also reduces frustration for healthcare providers, while making clinical work more effective and sustainable.Some of the topics we covered:Behaviour change in health coachingHealth coaching on Postpartum careEffective goal setting discussionsBehavioural goals in patient careMotivation vs WillpowerPatient resistance in physio strategies Trust, compassion and how to deal with challengesand much more!Orla is doing great work on changing how we can help move from the old model of healthcare professionals acting as mechanics to fix people, but rather empowering them with self efficacy toolboxes - she offers coursework on all of this so make sure you're following her on instagramWant to learn more about a bio psychosocial approach to Perinatal Pelvic Rehab? I designed my new online course to cover all of this and more, from preconception ,through pregnancy and into postpartum and beyond. Full of up to date evidence and 'how to' strategies, from PGP to DRAM and R2R!all of the info on this and all of my other online courses can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx#celebratemuliebrity

New Podcast Alert ‼️ Welcome to today’s episode, in conversation with Dr Juliet McGrattan, all about menopause & running🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ We chatted about her new book "The Runner's Guide to Menopause," which provides practical advice for runners navigating menopause. In today’s episode, we discussed some of the key challenges menopausal runners face, including the importance of strength training despite common reluctance, nutrition and fueling strategies, and the impact of menopause on bladder function and pelvic health. Juliet explained how behavior change and motivation are the main barriers to exercise, and emphasised the need for women to be given permission to adjust programming as needed during menopause. We covered topics like energy management, the controversy around running fasted, and the critical importance of proper sports bra fitting for running efficiency. The conversation highlighted how menopause can present opportunities for women to prioritise self-care and make different lifestyle choices while maintaining their running identity.We also explored how health benefits become more significant motivators for women around midlife and menopause, particularly regarding muscle preservation and preventing sarcopenia. We talked about the challenges of energy management during menopausal running, including the risk of relative energy deficiency syndrome (REDs) and bone stress injuries. Juliet noted that many menopausal women find traditional weight management approaches less effective, leading to potential energy deficiency, while I expressed concern about anterior hip or groin pain in menopausal runners potentially indicating bone health issues (if you’re thinking ’hip flexor problem’ make sure it’s not a neck of femur problem - go back and have a listen to the podcast episode I did about this with Benoy Mathew!)Juliet’s book ‘The Runner’s Guide to Menopause’ is a great resource to support runners through this transition and keep them running before, during and after menopause!🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ And if you’d like to take a deeper dive into supporting women going through menopause, I think my online course, Flourish! The Menopausal Toolbox covers all the things you need know (plus access to Hysterectomy: Prehab to Rehab is included for free) All of my online courses are available at CelebrateMuliebrity.com 🥳💝 #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & welcome to today's episode where we're talking about a new paper looking at menstrual health in female rowing - I'm in conversation with lead author, Dr Ciara Everard, who is an assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin's physiotherapy programmeIn our chat, we discussed her recent research paper focusing on menstrual health in female rowers, from Ireland & the US, highlighting how sociocultural and gendered norms influence how female athletes experience and manage their menstrual cycles. The research, involving ex-international rowers, explored menstrual cycle pain and symptoms but found that gendered norms in the male-dominated sport played a significant role in the findings. Ciara explained that female rowers often feel illegitimized within the rowing culture, as they are perceived as weaker than their male counterparts.Key findings included that 70% of respondents experienced irregular cycles, 80% reported menstrual symptoms affecting performance, and 70% had fears about leakage, though only 50% discussed these issues with their coaches.The conversation highlighted that while some athletes showed interest in tracking their cycles, there was a gap between existing knowledge in the wider literature and implementation in sub-elite contexts.Ciara & I discussed findings from a research paper on female athletes, highlighting issues around education and misinformation regarding menstrual health. We noted that harmful discourses, such as the "slim-to-win" ideology where missing periods is valorized, still prevail among younger athletes. We also talked about the silencing of symptoms related to conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, which can delay athletes from seeking help due to fear of being perceived as weaker or affecting their selection for teams. Despite increased awareness, athletes still face issues related to fueling and period-related pain. There's a huge need for continuous conversations and education at all levels of sport, including the importance of sharing personal stories to help athletes relate to the information. Our discussion also touched on the variability of menstrual experiences and the challenges in diagnosing conditions like endometriosis, stressing the need for more qualitative research and open dialogue about these issues (which is of course why I created this podcast!)“I feel like I’m marinating in the boat... and it just makes me feel gross”: a sociocultural exploration of female rowers' experiences of the menstrual cycle'' https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/bmjosem/12/1/e003004.full.pdfWant to learn more about Menstrual Health - understanding the MC, tracking it, applying menstrual knowledge to female athlete health AND get access to the course ‘Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete for FREE?! Then check out my online course, The Menstrual Detective (and all of my other online courses) at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

Hello & Welcome to the CelebrateMuliebrity Podcast!Today's episode is all about strength & resistance training at menopause - why are only 30% of women engaging in resistance training at menopause?(and sorry, my sound is a bit wonky at the start)My guest today is Chloe Lewis, who had a non-linear career into women's health, to say the least!Chloe is a physiotherapist conducting PhD research on optimising resistance training at menopause while incorporating pelvic health concerns and tendon issues. Chloe shared her personal journey into physiotherapy after experiencing a heart condition that led to heart surgeryWe discussed how menopausal women face barriers to resistance training due to generational messaging about smaller bodies and fear of bulking up. We explored how resistance training can benefit bone health, muscle maintenance, and mental well-being, while addressing specific concerns about tendinopathy in areas like the rotator cuff and gluteals. Chloe explained her research approach, which includes studying barriers to resistance training in menopausal women and potentially examining how effective resistance training protocols might impact pelvic floor strength. This conversation emphasised the importance of individualised approaches, starting with bodyweight exercises, and the need for healthcare professionals to prescribe resistance training as part of rehabilitation programs for women.We also discussed the similarities and differences in resistance training protocols for men and women, emphasising that proportionate muscle growth is similar despite men starting with more muscle mass. Chloe highlighted that social context and barriers, rather than physiological differences, are the main obstacles for women engaging in resistance training. We definitely agreed on the importance of understanding and addressing these barriers to encourage women's participation in resistance training....and much much more, including her PhD research focusing on the impact of resistance training on pelvic floor health in menopausal women. She plans to conduct a four-armed study comparing the effects of resistance training alone, resistance training plus pelvic floor exercises, pelvic floor exercises alone, and a control group. Chloe is currently in the ethics approval stage for qualitative interviews with menopausal women and plans to survey healthcare professionals about resistance training practices for menopause. She aims to develop a co-produced exercise program that is accessible and relevant to the participants - I can't wait to see the outcomes!If you'd like to learn more about menopausal health, be sure to check out my comprehensive online course, 'Flourish! The Menopausal Toolbox (which also includes access to my Hysterectomy: Prehab to Rehab course FOR FREE!). All the info on all of my online courses, from menstrual, to perinatal to oncology, bowel or back pain courses can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

Hello & Welcome! Today’s conversation is with Lydia Durkin George, all about pelvic health in women’s rugbyIn our chat, we discussed Lydia’s journey from being an elite kickboxer to becoming a physiotherapist, driven by a desire to support female athletes. She highlights her research on pelvic floor dysfunction in elite women's rugby players and her collaboration with advocates for female athletes. We discussed the prevalence of pelvic floor issues among elite women's rugby players, noting a high incidence of urinary and anorectal symptoms despite a lack of childbirth history. We also highlighted the need for better awareness and education about pelvic health, as only 30% of the athletes knew what a pelvic health physiotherapist was and only 10% engaged in pelvic health exercises. We’re both passionate about the importance of normalising conversations about pelvic health and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to pelvic floor muscle training, as overactivity could exacerbate issues, and we both agreed that integrating pelvic health discussions into regular athletic training and education could help address these issues more effectively!We also talked about: • the specific pelvic health demands of rugby • better pelvic health screening • how lower limb injuries can affect pelvic health • the need for comprehensive pelvic health education and training And much more! You can find Lydia on Instagram at @form.at.physio (and of course I’m there too @michellelyons_muliebrity)Want to learn more about supporting female athletes at every age and stage? For young female athletes, check out The Menstrual Detective (comes with free access to Pelvic Health for Young Female Athletes), or for return to physical activity, I’ve got Perinatal Pelvic Rehab, and for masters athletes, Flourish! The Menopause Toolbox will help you help women live well. All the course info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and also HOW can we be at the end of March already??!! In today's podcast, we are going down a nerdy research rabbit hole - ready? Let's go!As you probably know, March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and although we are only a quarter of the way through the year, there are already some noteworthy papers out there, from acknowledging the many issues people with endometriosis face, from dismissal and gaslighting to clinical diagnosis, assessment and pelvic rehab strategies - what the evidence actually is showing (some of it may surprise you!I'm going to talk through what these research papers are saying, why they matter and how we can use their findings to improve the care of people dealing with pain, fatigue, GI, MSK, urologic and neurological issues, as well as including nociplastic changes - and how the evidence is really supportive of a multimodal pelvic rehab approach, which we're talking about pelvic floor therapy, tens, movement or manual therapy - there's also some interesting implications for including telehealth options as part of our psychologically informed care...I'm in the middle of doing my regular research updates for my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course - I'm starting with the Endometriosis module but expect updates on vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia and bladder pain syndrome...as well as how we can include a bio psychosocial approach to assessment and differential diagnosis, as well as an integrated treatment toolbox - if you're already enrolled, you'll get all the updates as they are released and if you're not...come and join the pelvic pain rehab conversation! All of the details of my online courses can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.com - let me know if you have any questions!Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx#celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome to the latest episode of the podcast where I'm delighted to welcome back Grainne Donnelly, this time to chat about her new book, Sports Medicine & The Pelvic Floor, Science to Practice, which will be available April 1st.In this episode, we talked about why we need a book about female athletes and their pelvic health - if you're working in this space you'll have seen the surge in research in the female athlete, especially in the realm of the menstrual cycle, but of course, there's so much more to pelvic health - cue Grainne's great new book!Gráinne is a pelvic health physiotherapist and doctoral researcher, and she has edited this comprehensive 24-chapter book featuring contributions from leading experts including Dr Jenny LaCrosse, Dr John Delancey, Dr Sula Windgassen, Dr Sinead Dufour, Fiona Rogers, SJ McDonnell, Julie Wiebe and the legendary Kari Bo and many (many!) moreThe book covers topics ranging from evolutionary aspects to clinical assessment and treatment approaches, from bladder, bowel, prolapse, with a focus on making research knowledge more accessible to sports medicine clinicians as well as the lived experience of the clinicians that serve them.In this chat, Gráinne explained that the book was designed to be a practical addition to not only clinicians' libraries, but also for coaches and the athletes themselves, particularly for sports medicine teams who may not initially consider pelvic health as part of their remit. She also highlighted the inclusion of chapters on differential diagnoses by Dr. Helen McKeever and practical tools like videos and QR codes for patient outcome measures.If you haven't ordered the book yet, you can sign up to Grainne's website, sportsmedicineand the pelvic floor. com (and there may even be a discount code available there too! ;) - it is also available from all good booksellers and free shipping if you order it directly from the publishers ElsevierI can't wait to get my copy and I'm sure it will spark many conversations and challenge and support how we work to serve the pelvic health needs of the female athleteAnd if you'd like to take a deep dive into the pelvic health needs of female athletes, you might also like my online course, The Menstrual Detective, which include the course Pelvic Rehab for the Young Female Athlete which covers it all in depth! As with all of my online women's health courses, the details can be found at my website CelebrateMuliebrity.comAs always, thanks for being here - make sure you're following the podcast so you don't miss an episode! (and reviews are always appreciated too!)Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and welcome to this episode of the podcast, where I'm having a conversation with my friend and colleague, Megan Jackson, all about how to have the pain neuroscience conversation - and how to do it well!Megan has created an amazing resource, The Pain Deck, which is a book and educational deck of cards, and we're taking a deep dive today into how clinicians can hone their skills when it comes to pain educationIn our conversation today, we talked about:​pain science education and patient engagement ​validating the personal pain experience: language and tools to use​the evolution of pain management in physiotherapy ​ clinician approaches for nociplastic pain management and much, much more! You can find Megan on instagram @the_pain_deck along with how to purchase the book/cards🥳🥳🥳And if you’d like to take a deep dive into the biopsychosocial management of persistent pelvic pain, my online course, Female Pelvic Pain Rehab, is available at CelebrateMuliebrity.com along with all of my other online courses 🥳🥳🥳Until next time! Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and Welcome! In today's episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr Sula Windgassen, health psychologist, psychotherapist and author of one of my favourite new books, 'It's All In Your Body', which explores the conversation between mind, body and environment and how that can influence and sustain pain and poor healthIn today's conversation, we discussed lots of different threads, including the intersection of psychology and physiology in health care, particularly for pelvic pain and bladder/bowel conditions. We explored the Power Threat Meaning Framework, stress management, and goal-setting approaches, emphasising the importance of process goals rather than solely focusing on pain elimination. Sula shared her personal health journey and explained how health psychology differs from clinical psychology, and we both highlighted the need for integrated care between psychologists and physiotherapists. We discussed the complexities of stress, particularly how it relates to endometriosis and the challenges faced by those with persistent pelvic pain, and explored how stress can be a stressor, an automatic response, and an action, emphasising the need to differentiate between these concepts to avoid self-blame and stigma. Sula explained that stressors can be external or internal, and automatic stress responses can be psychological or physiological, highlighting the importance of understanding these distinctions to better support individuals experiencing stress-related issues.Sula's book explores the intersection of biology and psychology in pain management, particularly relevant to women's health issues, such as bladder dysfunction, IBS and persistent pelvic pain. For anyone who has ever worried that their pain neuroscience education has floundered, and the people that we are working with are left with the feeling 'they think this is all in my head' - this book will give you the tools to counteract that fear!We also discussed the upcoming release of Grainne Donnelly's new book, Sports Medicine & the Pelvic Floor, to which we've both contributed - a great time for book loving pelvic health nerds, for sure!If you'd like to learn more about Female Pelvic Pain Rehab, my online course is available, alongside all of my other online courses, at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

I'm so pleased to share this conversation with high performance rehab specialist, SJ McDonnell, who is leading the charge to integrate pelvic health into sports medicine at Sport Ireland.Our paths crossed many (many) years ago but we reconnected when SJ and I started having conversations about how to bring pelvic health into high performance sports - how to bring expertise into this field in a thoughtful way.We discussed lots of different ways to empower and educate athletes, coaches & medical staff about assessing and managing pelvic health conditions, including:the importance of the MC in sports & the challenges of bringing a nuanced approach to menstrual healththe level of information about pelvic health that is available to athletesthe difficulty with the diagnosis and management of LEA or dysmenorrhea in athletes who have limited access to medical appointmentsthat athletes may not seek help for a variety of reasonsand how a one size fits all approach to menstrual health is not a good strategy & how more training & understanding are required to improve the skills practitioners need to better support female athletesUltimately, there is a definite need to do a better job at integrating pelvic health into sport at every level, with the inclusion of psychological health into this domain as well, as there is a complex interplay between physical performance and mental wellbeing. SJ is leading a great team at Sport Ireland and is driving the conversation about creating a safe space for athletes to discuss menstrual & pelvic health. She shared how this approach has worked well for other issues such as sleep management for elite athlete and the lessons that could be applied in educating and involving athletes, coaches and medical support staff to develop an evidence based and fit for purpose approach to athletic pelvic health.Can't wait to see how this all evolves under SJ's leadership at Sport Ireland and beyond!and if YOU would like to learn more about menstrual health and the pelvic health needs of the younger female athlete, then The Menstrual Detective course could be exactly what you need - it comes with free (evergreen!) access to the mini course 'Pelvic Health for the Younger Female Athlete' and you can find all the details, along with all my other online courses, at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome to Today's Episode about all things Female Athlete with my friend and colleague, Ros Cooke. I had the pleasure of seeing Ros present on this topic at the POGP conference in Edinburgh last October.In today's episode, we discussed pelvic health in sportsthe 6Rs framework for postpartum athletes and its application to broader pelvic health considerations. (Donnelly et al 2022 Reframing return-to-sport postpartum: the 6 Rs framework)we also explored how pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to groin pain in athletes and emphasized the importance of integrating pelvic health into mainstream sports medicine practice. The conversation also covered ACL injury prevention in female athletes, with Ros highlighting that while hormonal factors may play a role, they are just one aspect among many including biomechanics, training environment, and overall athlete resilience. We both agreed that successful injury prevention programs need to be purposeful, meaningful, and integrated across all aspects of an athlete's training and lifestyle, with pelvic health being an essential component of this holistic approach.I love needing out with clever people at this intersection of hormonal, pelvic & musculoskeletal health - and I think Ros is doing amazing things in this space to improve education, awareness and outcomes - you can find her on instagram @rosralph - you can find my continuing adventures in women's health there too @michellelyons_muliebrityAnd...if you'd like to learn more about menstrual health AND pelvic health for young female athletes - you might enjoy my latest online course, 'The Menstrual Detective' and you'll get the mini course 'Pelvic Health for the Younger Female Athlete' FOR FREE!!! all the details can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

Hello & Welcome to today's episode, where I'm chatting with Dr Melissa Davidson about prolapse, avulsions and pessaries!My guest today is a specialist physiotherapist in pelvic health, and we discussed her career journey, including her specialization in pelvic health in New Zealand, where she is the only registered specialist. She highlighted her expertise in advanced clinical practice, research, and leadership within the profession. Melissa also shared her experience conducting research in bioengineering at Auckland University, which revealed that physiotherapists' assessments of muscle tone and stiffness lack objective measurement methods, challenging traditional practices in the field...We discussed the importance of evidence-based practice in pelvic health physiotherapy, particularly regarding prolapse and pain management. Melissa shared her experience conducting a PhD in bioengineering, which challenged many accepted beliefs in physiotherapy and highlighted the need to think outside traditional silos. Melissa shared her experience developing and using a 3D model named Lily for patient education, discovering its effectiveness in helping patients understand complex medical concepts. She discussed her collaboration with bioengineers, noting that while the engineers were initially skeptical about her approach, they eventually recognized the value of her clinical perspectiveWe explored the diagnosis of levator avulsion and emphasized that a definitive diagnosis should not be made before 6-12 months postpartum, and we highlighted the importance of careful wording when communicating with patients about this condition, as the diagnosis can be devastating and there is currently no surgical fix.Melissa discussed her approach to pessary management and training for physiotherapists, emphasizing the importance of medical clearance and speculum exams for assessing mucosal integrity. She explained the assessment process for avulsion injuries, including the use of a training model and peer-to-peer learning. Melissa also highlighted the need for informed decision-making during pregnancy regarding delivery options, advocating for patient autonomy and open discussions about birth plans.We definitely agreed on the importance of using validated research and scientific terminology, rather than relying on subjective assessments or unproven treatments.This was definitely a deep and rich conversation, that I really enjoyed...and I hope you will too!Want to learn more about prolapse and other perinatal pelvic health issues, from a whole woman, evidence based, clinical reasoning from assessment to management perspective? And do it all online, with evergreen access to the course AND a private fb support group? Look no further! My new online course, Perinatal Pelvic Rehab, has you covered, from preconception through pregnancy to postpartum (including what we need to be aware of when someone is postnatal AND perimenopausal! - if you work with perinatal women aged 35+, you need to know this!). Visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com for all the course info!Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx

Hello & Welcome to the Podcast!Today's episode is brought to you by my online course 'The Menstrual Detective' which also includes 'Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete'This could be my favourite episode of 2026 (and yes, I know it's very early in the year to call it - but this chat is THAT GOOD!)Today I'm delighted to chat with Dr Jenny LaCross and Dr Laurel Proulx about their super paper that appeared in the Autumn issue of the POGP, called 'Exploring the connection between the hip and pelvic floor in women with exercise-induced urinary incontinence: integrating clinical hypotheses with current evidence'In this episode, we explore:the relationship between the hip and the pelvic floor (what is actually happening - this may surprise you...)exercise induced incontinence, especially in nulliparous athletesthe other variables we have to consider, including REDs and Hypermobilitythe Pudendal nerve and its role in SUIand much much more!! These researchers are creating conversations that are literally changing how we think about pelvic health - I can't wait to see where they go to next!You can find Jenny on instagram as @jenn.lacross and Laurel is there too as @dr.laurelproulx - and of course you can follow my continuing adventures in women's health there too @michellelyons_muliebrityIf you'd like to learn more about how menstrual health and hormonal health and incontinence all intertwine, particularly for our younger female clients...then check out my online course, The Menstrual Detective, which includes the course Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete - all of the details for all of the courses can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.com.Until next time,Onwards & Upwards! Mx(and don't forget to #celebratemuliebrity!)

Hello & Welcome to today's conversation where I'm continuing the GLP1 conversation - this time I'm exploring the role of these meds in managing inflammation, MCAS, POTS, ME/CFS and the intersection of all of this with menopause and ageing.I first got interested in this topic when I was creating my new online menopause course (Flourish! The Menopausal Toolbox) and I took a deep dive into inflammaging and menopause and nutrition, movement, stress management & lifestyle approaches (as well as pelvic rehab, obvs!)I did a post on social media and Jessica responded and...here we are! Jessica has been in this space for a long time and brings a really interesting perspective and of course the evidence to support it too! You can find her on social media as @jessrdrummond and of course at The Integrative Women's Health InstituteWant to learn more about this? There's a whole module on inflammaging in my online menopause course, including the research on GLP1 meds at menopause - along with other modules on musculoskeletal, metabolic and of course on pelvic health too!All of the details (of ALL my online women's health courses) are at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or follow my continuing adventures in women's health on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mxand don't forget to #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome to 2026 and the 100th episode of the podcast!! I'm excited and grateful to have reached this milestone and for all of the great conversations I've had with brilliant and clever clinicians and researchers - and I have some very exciting episodes coming up, with topics including prolapse, periods, female athletes, urinary incontinence, lumbopelvic pain and more!Today, its all about GLP1 meds & what we need to consider when it comes to women's health from weight loss, inflammation, musculoskeletal and pelvic health and the particular implications for menopause as wellIt is an exciting time to be working in women's health - how we can play a role in women's health & wellness & longevity, incorporating pelvic health as a strong foundation we can build on (and if you're NOT excited about working in women's health...you might be doing it wrong - but I've got a course for that - problem solved, just visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com )I hope you'll consider joining me, either for the full Flourish! Menopausal Toolbox, where we deeply discuss the intersection of menopause, ageing & inflammation or with Pelvic Floor University for my class with them this Friday - you can join me live (and ask questions!) or access the recording afterwardsdo let me know if YOU have a specific women's health topic you'd like me to cover on the podcast - you know me, any excuse to nerd out!! (bonus points if it includes constipation ;)I hope you have a happy and healthy 2026 - I'm excited to continue the women's health evidence based conversation, both in all of my online courses, at upcoming live events and of course here on the podcastSee you next timeOnwards & Upwards! Mx(and don't forget to celebrate muliebrity!)

Welcome to today's episode, with my friend & colleague, Dr Carina SiracusaIn today's  conversation, we focused on discussing dysautonomia and its implications for pelvic health, as well as the role of the autonomic system, the overlap of issues including POTS, MCAS & hEDS…and of course we talked about bowel health (shocker!) and the chapter we wrote on GI dysfunction in female athletes for Grainne Donnelly’s new book ‘Sports Medicine & the Pelvic Floor’ which is coming out in early 2026 (available for pre-order now!)In this conversation:​we explored how dysautonomia manifests in pelvic floor dysfunction, bladder and bowel issues, and its connection to conditions like POTS and EDS. ​The conversation covered diagnostic approaches, medical management strategies, and the importance of considering the autonomic nervous system in pelvic health treatment. ​We also discussed the broader role of physiotherapy in addressing both physical and mental health aspects, emphasising the need for therapists to recognise when to refer patients to other specialists while maintaining their scope of practice. ​The discussion highlighted the evolving nature of physical therapy practice and the profession's growing recognition of the importance of mental health and lifestyle factors in patient care…and much more! You can find Carina on Instagram as @carinadpt and of course you can find me there too as @michellelyons_physio If you’re listening to this before the end of December, a reminder that my winter sale is still on for a few more days - you can use the code PF75 for a €75 discount on any of my online courses - all the details are at CelebrateMuliebrity.com 🥳🥳🥳Wishing you all the happiest of festive seasons! Mx and of course, Onwards and Upwards for 2026!! #celebratemuliebrity

What a treat this conversation was for me! I had the pleasure of listening to the fabulous Prof Angie Doshani at the POGP conference in Edinburgh in September - she absolutely rocked the stage and gave an intensely thought provoking presentation on the importance of personalising pelvic health, taking into account cultural, ethnic, religious and language considerations.In this conversation, we talked about:Culturally Sensitive Pelvic Health SupportClinical Communication Strategies for Pelvic PainPatient Self-Assessment for Diverse CareSupporting Women in Culturally Appropriate Pelvic Health SpacesEnhancing Medical Communication with Technologyand much more!As well as being a consultant obstetrican/gynaecologist, Angie is a researcher, professor and a driver of change, as well as the developer of the Janam app, which is leading the way in developing a digital knowledge base to support women's perinatal pelvic health, in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way (currently available in English & 6 other languages).I don't say this lightly but this may have been one of my favourite conversations on the podcast - thought provoking, challenging and inspirational. Let me know what you think!(and just a reminder...if you're listening to this podcast in December...you can use the code PF75 on any (all!) of my online courses, from female pelvic pain, to oncology, from menstrual to menopausal health, bowel health to back pain...but only until Dec31st! All of the course info is on my website CelebrateMuliebrity.com or follow along for my continuing adventures in women's health on instagram (@michellelyons_muliebrity) or...my online group for women's health clinicians on Facebook, Global Pelvic PhysioThanks for listening, let me know what YOU think and until next time...Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Welcome to today's episode where I had the pleasure of chatting with Anna Maria Mazzieri about the intersection of manual therapy in the treatment of pain, a biopsychosocial approach and working through a trauma informed lens👉We talked about the role of touch in helping people reclaim their body schema, moving from disembodiment to embodiment, how trauma, especially Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), can cause and perpetuate persistent pain👉Why manual therapy shouldn't be a nociceptive input but rather a strategy for helping people reframe their relationship with their bodies, particularly when they have widespread chronic pain👉What happens when we touch people in a therapeutic environment 👉We also talked about the 'how' of why manual therapy works and how we can explain it to the people we are working with, with compassion AND with evidence based, trauma informed viewpoint (no more hurting people!)👉’Touch is sensory evidence of you being YOU’👋👋👋Anna Maria teaches at the ST School in the UK (@theist school on instagram) - she offers both in person and online classes - highly recommended!💝💝💝And a reminder that my Winter Sale is now on - use the code PF75 at checkout to save €75 at checkout on ALL of the online course at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards and Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and welcome to today's episode where I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr Erin Locati, where we talk about all things peripartum, especially in the context of high risk pregnanciesErin is an acute care physical therapist in Texas, specialising in pelvic care for high-risk pregnancy patients.In this conversation, we discussed the criteria and complications associated with high-risk pregnancies. We also explored exercise recommendations for high-risk pregnant patients, the challenges of managing stress in obstetrics, and the importance of person-centered care and documentation in peripartum care.Topics included:High-Risk Pregnancy Care PlanningHigh-Risk Pregnancy Myths DebunkedGuidelines for Safe Pregnancy ExerciseEvidence-Based Obstetrics Communication StrategiesMedical Deviation and Legal ImplicationsPostpartum Care and Social SupportPeripartum Care and Patient ConnectionAnd more!!You can find Erin on instagram as @erinlocati_pt (and I’m there too @michellelyons_muliebrity)💝💝💝Want to learn more about Perinatal Pelvic Rehab? And save €100? Today (Sunday) is the last day of the opening weekend of my Winter Sale - use the code thanks100 at checkout 🥳🥳🥳All the course info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or send me a DM on instagram Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello and welcome to today's conversation with Andrew McCauley, a clinical specialist physiotherapist in lower limb/strength & conditioning, from Ireland and now based in the UKIn today's conversation, we talk about Andrew's journey as a physio, a coach and an educator, teaching therapists how to communicate effectively, especially around integrating strength and conditioning principles into rehab (and why I think he's a covert pelvic physio...)We talked about the importance of being a good communicator, especially when working with people in pain, building trust and creating a safe space, for discussing sensitive topics such as pelvic health.We also explored the principles of strength and conditioning, focusing on the importance of understanding concepts like stability and progressive overload. Andrew talked about how easy it can be for us to overlook the basics, but how we can effectively conduct strength training exercises without equipment, highlighting the need for effort and proper rest (we also discussed how we can intersect the worlds of pelvic health and strength training)We discussed exercise prescription strategies, how to adapt exercises based on patient characteristics and goals and how to get really good at asking better questions...as well as Therapist Anxiety Syndrome (you'll have to listen to find out more!)Andrew is all about empowering patients through clear goal setting and enhancing physio education and practice - I'm excited to be a student on Andrew's upcoming course, integrating coaching principles with strength and conditioning principles. His course in Ireland will be in beautiful Sligo but he teaches all over the UK as well - all the details on his instagram @procaresportsHere’s the link to the paper Andrew mentioned: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37414459/🥳🥳🥳Want to learn more about helping women at every age and stage? My online courses, from The Menstrual Detective to Perinatal Pelvic Health to The Menopausal Toolbox, Breast Cancer to Pelvic Oncology, Back Pain to Bowel Function are all available at CelebrateMuliebrity.com and you can follow my continuing adventure in women's health on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

What happens when we combine MSK and Pelvic physio perspectives? You end up with a great conversation about female hip health - covering puberty, postpartum and perimenopause! In today's episode, I'm joined by hip specialist, Benoy Mathew, to chat about female hip health at every age and stage! Benoy is a physiotherapist based in London, and we discussed the unique challenges and presentations of hip and groin issues in female patients, highlighting the significant gender disparities in diagnosis and treatmentWe explored strategies for managing running-related injuries in female athletes, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition, load management, and collaboration between different healthcare professionals. The discussion also covered postnatal running challenges, gluteal tendinopathy, and hip tendinopathy, highlighting the need for comprehensive care that considers both physical and pelvic health aspects.We also talked about:why we need to continue raising awareness about early identification of hip pathologies in womenwhy we need to incorporate pelvic health screening in hip and groin assessmentsthe promotion of education on the importance of cross-screening between MSK and pelvic health specialists asking the 5th question about menstrual cycle regularity when assessing female athletes for potential bone stress injuriesBenoy's five key questions for female runners with hip and groin paineducation about the importance of multidirectional sports before age 20 for bone health in femalesand much more!You can find and follow Benoy on social media @function2fitness and his courses are available at Clinical Edge and PhysioTutorsAnd if you'd like more info about optimising female health at every age and stage, whether you're interested in the young female athlete (check out The Menstrual Detective), supporting women in their perinatal year (visit Perinatal Pelvic Rehab) or if helping women live well before, during & after menopause is your passion, the Flourish! The Menopausal Toolbox might be a good fit for you! All of the course info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or find me on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

To celebrate the launch of the new Perinatal Pelvic Rehab course, I'm excited to share this exciting & empowering conversation with Dr Jessica Gingerich about working with women in pregnancy & postpartum from an evidence based perspectiveWe discussed the new guidelines, how you CAN lift more than 20 lbs, you CAN run, when do you really need to pull back...and more?We emphasised the need for healthcare providers to be updated on current research guidelines and the benefits of aerobic & resistance training (moving beyond yellow theraband!) during pregnancy, and the recent paper that she was a co-author on:Resistance training in pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis of pregnancy, delivery, fetal and pelvic floor outcomes and call to action (Prevett et al 2025)We also discussed the prevalence of pelvic health issues among young female athletes, highlighting the need for increased awareness and screening, and emphasized the importance of educating athletes about their bodies and the implications of energy deficiency in sports, particularly for menstrual health. We talked about the importance of appropriate pelvic floor muscle training, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that includes both strength and flexibility. We also explored the societal conditioning around discussing and training the pelvic floor, noting how cultural norms and sexual education influence perceptions, as well as the importance of applying common sense and individualized approaches when training pregnant individuals, advocating for appropriate dosing and modifications based on the person's condition rather than following a rigid program. We highlighted the need for coaches to be attuned to clients' symptoms and to adjust training intensity and progression accordingly, especially during pregnancy when hormonal and physical changes can impact performance and recovery. Make sure you're following Jess @jessicagingerichdpt on instagram too!Are you fired up about working with perinatal clients yet?! Join me in the new Perinatal Pelvic Rehab course, available now, for evidence based strategies to help women live well before, during & after pre-conception to pregnancy to postpartum...and beyond! All of the details are on CelebrateMuliebrity.com and you can find out more about all of my adventures in women's health on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityThanks for being here & see you next time! Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

The Podcast Has Returned! After a brief hiatus, we're back with a great conversation on musculoskeletal health at menopause - does MHT make a difference to tendon health?In this episode, we discussed:Rachael's paper & research on tendons and menopause, comparing exercise, education and MHT for GTPS aka gluteal tendinopathythe role of oestrogen & inflammation in musculoskeletal carehow current research has a focus on oestrogen, but how the roles of testosterone & progesterone are being increasingly investigatedRachael is doing great work as both a clinician and researcher and is really highlighting how menopausal tendons are different, the roles of hormones but also of inflammation and the impact of overweight/obesity. She makes complex science understandable and applicable and I can't wait to see where her research takes us in the future! You can follow her progress in this area on ResearchGate.Want to learn more about the intersection of hormonal health and musculoskeletal health at menopause? My brand new Menopause course is available NOW! (and when you sign up you'll get the Hysterectomy Rehab to Rehab course FOR FREE!) All of the details to sign up are at CelebrateMuliebrity.comLots of great episodes coming up over the next few weeks, on hip health, REDs, exercise in pregnancy and more - make sure you're subscribed (a rating & review is always appreciated!) and follow me on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrity for all the latest on my adventures in women's healthUntil next time,Onwards & Upwards, Mx#celebratemuliebrity

Hello and Welcome to this week's episode with the inimitable Julie Wiebe!Julie has been in this space for a long time and has done so much to advance the importance of looking at pelvic health from a systems approach. In this conversation:Julie shared her journey from sports medicine to pelvic floor therapy, emphasizing her mission to integrate pelvic health into broader fitness and athletic contexts. She highlighted the importance of breath strategies and coordination in movement, and discussed her academic work to improve clinical understanding and research quality in pelvic health. Julie recently attended the Female Athlete Conference in Boston, where she noted an explosion of interest and research in the field, particularly in perinatal care and female athlete health. She also discussed the need for better screening methods for conditions like RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), as traditional menstrual cycle screening may not be reliable.We also talked about the importance of early detection and prevention of pelvic health issues in athletes, emphasizing the need to move beyond the current screening and referral paradigm. We agreed on the necessity of educating coaches, athletes, and medical teams at various levels to normalize conversations around pelvic health at every age and stage, as well as the need for a more nuanced, multidisciplinary approach to treating pelvic health issues, incorporating factors like biomechanics, hormones, and individualized treatment plans... and much much more!Julie is on instagram as @juliewiebept and you can find all of her course info at juliewiebept.com.Want to take a deeper dive and become a Menstrual Detective? My latest course is live now, and does a deep dive into the MC and what can go wrong...and what we're going to do about it! And...when you sign up now...you'll get access to the new course 'Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete' FOR FREE when it goes live in December! You can find all of the course info on my instagram @michellelyons_muliebrity or at me website CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time,Onwards & Upwards, Mx!

Hello & Welcome! In today's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Suzanne Carney, who is a brilliant pelvic physio, with a special interest in breast health. I had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne about 10 years ago wgen I was teaching in Perth, Australia, and now we have the pleasure of having Suzanne living, working & teaching in Ireland.We covered a LOT of ground in this chat, including:Genitourinary Syndrome of LactationReturn to exercise postnatally - when you're breastfeedingBreast health - what's our role?Spotting the signs of blockage/infection in breastfeeding womenThe rehab toolbox for breast health - manual therapy, modalities, lymphatic taping and morebreastfeeding and fertilitypelvic health for children, teenagers...and teachers!Suzanne has a fantastic combination of clinical experience and evidence based practice to support whole person health, and she has some great courses coming up, on breast health, prolapse management and paediatric continence - you can find her on instagram as @anatomy_physiotherapyIf you're listening to this on the day it drops, you may have heard that The Menstrual Detective is now live and is available with pre-launch pricing...but the price goes up September 1st! (and don't forget you'll get access to the course 'Pelvic Health for The Young Female Athlete this December !) All of the details are on my instagram @michellelyons_muliebrity or visit CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx! #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome To The Podcast!Today, I'm joined by Eleanor & Jess from PelvicRelief where we'll be discussing all things microbiome and pelvic health, in conditions like fertility, UTIs, and menopausal health. We also explored the role of diet, probiotics, and specific Lactobacillus strains in maintaining vaginal health, and the challenges of prescribing beneficial supplements, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment. We discussed the challenges and distressing nature of recurrent UTIs and other vulvovaginal infections, emphasizing the need for effective & multi-modal solutions to manage these conditionsWe talked about the vaginal microbiome, emphasizing the importance of Lactobacillus dominance for maintaining an acidic environment, and explored common imbalances like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, and their potential impact on fertility and overall health. The conversation highlights the role of estrogen in maintaining vaginal health, particularly during peri-menopause and post-menopause. Jess and Eleanor stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment, cautioning against overuse of over-the-counter medications. The discussion also touches on the relationship between the bladder and vaginal microbiomes, and the impact of cancer treatments on vaginal health, and much more!For more info: make sure to visit pelvicrelief.co.uk and they are also on Instagram @pelvicrelief. I have much excitement about these products' potential to provide a more specific and bespoke approach to pelvic relief - looking forward to hearing more as the science continues to evolve!If you'd like to learn more about women's health, from back pain to bowel health, menstrual to menopausal health, pelvic pain and femalecentric oncology rehab - all of my online courses are available at https://celebratemuliebrity.com/Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity.com

Hello & Welcome to today's episode where we take a deep dive into sports medicine specific pelvic health. I'm delighted to chat with two friends and colleagues in New Zealand, Niamh Clerkin & Rebecca Dodson.In this chat, we chat about how we can better meet the pelvic health needs of young female athletes and how we can spread the word more effectivelyNiamh & Becs talk about their experience in getting involved with NZ netball, rugby & gymnastics - they have been working to improve pelvic health knowledge at both community and high performance levels. They shared what's worked well for them in terms of communication with both athletes and coaches and how to relate pelvic health to performance, relating pelvic health to sports injuries - not that different from managing calf strains!They discussed enhancing communication skills for coaches, and always keeping the athlete's needs at the centre of their conversationYou can find the resource they developed at https://netballsmart.co.nz/component/nnzlibrary/download/080ae7a3e1f5000e11ba055c28a3a27e.htmlYou can also find information about the fabulous products Niamh & her colleagues have developed at https://nunatural.co/Want to learn more about the young female athlete? About optimising menstrual health? Stay tuned for my NEW COURSE 'The Menstrual Detective' coming soon (and you'll get the 'Pelvic Health for the Young Female Athlete' FOR FREE. There will be special pre-launch pricing announcements soon...make sure you're following me on instagram for all the info (you can me on instagram as @michellelyons_muliebrity - Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx Visit celebratemuliebrity.com for online course information

Hello & Welcome to this episode - it's just me this week, taking a look at what's new in the understanding, assessment & effective treatment of vulvodyniaAll this week, I’ve been recording and uploading lectures and handouts and resources to the brand new vulvodynia module of my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course - and I wanted to share some of the highlights here in the podcastThe past 12 months have produced not only interest but clinically relevant research - it’s a great time to be working in pelvic pain rehab and one of my favourite things to do is to nerd out in the literature and see what’s clinically relevant There’s been a nice mix, from case reports to systematic reviews with meta analyses - and I love to see a growing awareness of the importance of a multimodal (and always non-nociceptive!) approach, whether considering trauma informed assessment interviewing skills to what we need to add to the pelvic rehab treatment toolbox to a library of handouts we can give to our patientsVulvodynia can be a scary diagnosis for both clinician and patient, so I want to take the fear factor away and create a paradigm or flowchart for clinical reasoning, from ruling out differential diagnoses to looking at what the evidence supports for treatment options (spoiler: it’s more than just using/ progression through a dilator set!)If you’re already enrolled in the online Female Pelvic Pain course, you don’t need to do anything - everything is uploaded in the portal….and if you haven’t signed up yet…come and join us! Apart from vulvodynia, you can take a deep dive into endometriosis, IC/Bladder Pain Syndrome, Pelvic Neuralgias, Female Sexual Pain and more! All through a biopsychosocial, pelvic rehab meets lifestyle, evidence based approach! All the details at CelebrateMuliebrity.com 🥳💗Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx#celebratemuliebrity

From good communication to gait analysis - Matt Phillips is a friend and colleague who is one of the most thoughtful and curious therapists that I've had the pleasure of connecting with over the past few years. If you're in the UK, you'll be familiar with Matt via the Sports Therapy Association or TherapyExpo or perhaps you've been a fan of his podcast/youtube broadcasts. His passion is as a conduit of information and driving the therapy professions forward.In today's chat, we discussed:the importance (and skill) of good communicationrunning analysis (is pronation the devil?) and how this can enhance the therapeutic alliancewhy the rate of running related injuries isn't decreasingcommunicating with runners about behaviour changewhy we can't tell runners to 'just stop running' (because they won't)updating our frames of reference when new information becomes available - integrating lifestyle & cross training into running rehabare there differences between female and male runners?and much much more! Matt really brings an evidence based and biopsychosocial approach to working with human beings who want to run but are in pain - make sure you're following him on instagram @runchatlive and you can find details of his courses and events - including the upcoming Hands on Hub STA conference happening in September in Exmouth (spoiler: I'll be there too, talking about Menstrual Health & Female Athletes). Hope to see lots of you there!Want to learn more? My online courses on menstrual to menopausal health and everything in between, from pelvic and back pain, to breast/gynae cancer rehab, hysterectomy to bowel health - all through a femalecentric, biopsychosocial and evidence based lens -with immediately useful information. All the details can be found in my instagram bio (@michellelyons_muliebrity) or at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx

What can I say about today's guest? If you're working with postnatal women or female athletes, then Grainne Donnelly will be a familiar name to you. One of the busiest and most productive people in women's health - Grainne is a clinician, PhD researcher, educator, writer, editor of the POGP journal, business owner and mother of four!In today's chat, we discussed lots of different topics under the postnatal umbrella, from diastasis to sport & exercise to compression garments and the importance of functional and clinically relevant research, with a nod to evolutionary development of the pelvic floor!At Pelvicon last year, we got a glimpse into her PhD research looking at compression garments and the pelvic floor, so we get into the weeds with this today: compression garments - do they work? What should we consider when it comes to recommending them? Are they good for everyone?Grainne, along with Emma Brockwell & Tom Goom, completely changed the conversation with the Return to Running Guidelines in 2019; the 6R Framework on Returning to Sport Postnatally (BJSM 2021), her chapter on pelvic health in sports medicine, her 2025 paper on rugby & pelvic health - you can find all of her recent publications hereI'm a huge GD fan - it really is hard to think of someone who has done more to advance the evidence base for postnatal recovery from a physio perspective, so if you get the chance to learn from her - grab it!Grainne's online courses are available at absolute.physio and they are on sale for the summer - you can find her on instagram as @absolute.physio and she will be teaching a precon at Pelvicon about real time ultrasound in pelvic rehab and of course, the book she's editing on Pelvic Health in Sports Medicine will be out in April 2026Want to take a deeper dive into women's health, from the comfort of home, and at your own pace? All of my online courses, from Female Hormonal Health to Hysterectomy Rehab, Breast/Gynae & Bladder/Bowel Oncology Rehab to Female Pelvic Pain, Bowel Health to Back Pain - all of the info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or follow along on Instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Mx (and don't forget to celebrate muliebrity!)

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the podcast, which is not suitablefor younger ears!I am delighted to chat with Talli Rosenbaum, a pioneer in both pelvic rehab and latterly in psychosexual health. I have had the pleasure of knowing Talli for many years; I took one of my first psychosexual trainings with her in Cambridge a decade ago. Talli initially worked as a PT in the US before changing directions and becoming a leader in psychosexual therapy, both clinically and from a research perspective. In this conversation we talked about the similarities, overlaps and also the differences in the two professions, and how setting boundaries for ourselves clinically and professionally can benefit not only the people we work with, but also our own professional stress levels.We also talked about various topics related to sexual health, pelvic rehabilitation, and trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of a more psychologically informed approach in these fields. We also explored the complexities of working with patients, particularly those experiencing pelvic floor issues, and the need for additional psychological support. The conversation also included discussions on the importance of sexual health and intimacy for cancer patients, as well as the changes in intimacy and libido after childbirthTalli talked about how pelvic health physiotherapists often have stronger interpersonal skills and empathy, which can lead to boundary challenges - and while we must be psychologically informed, we don’t have to do it all by ourselves - multidisciplinary care is gold!Talli has lots of great resources on her website, tallirosenbaum.com and you can find her on instagram as well - I’m there too as @michellelyons_muliebrityWant to learn more about female sexual health, managing dyspareunia, contraception & fertility? I’ve got a course for that! All of my online courses, from female pelvic pain to menstrual through menopausal health, oncology rehab to bowel health & femalecentric approaches to back pain, can be found at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.com. If you’re a pelvic health clinician, make sure you’re part of the conversation in my facebook group, Global Pelvic Physio - we have rich clinical conversations with pelvic health nerds from all over the world - over 11k of us! Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity 💗

In today’s conversation , I have the pleasure of chatting with the phenomenal Dr Margie Davenport about her research, and driving the conversation forward to support female athletes in their pregnancy and postpartum journey.​We talked about Margie's journey as an athlete herself, to pursuing research particularly in the realm of postpartum physical activity​We also discussed the importance of creating a safe space for women to engage in physical activity postpartum, emphasizing the mental health benefits and the need to normalize exercise rather than pathologize postnatal recovery. ​Margie highlighted the evolution of guidelines and recommendations, with the consensus statement providing a more comprehensive approach to physical activity postpartum. Margie clarified that there are no absolute contraindications to exercise postpartum, only relative contraindications that require consultation with a healthcare provider. ​we also discussed the benefits of physical activity for pelvic floor health and mental health, and the importance of empowering women to take control of their health, as well as​Exercise & Pain Management in Pregnancy ​Sleep, Physical Activity & Mental Health​Postpartum Recovery & Exercise TimingAnd much, much more! Here’s the link to the BJSM issue Margie edited in April 2025: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/8You can follow Margie on instagram at @exerciseandpregnancy and I’m there too @michellelyons_muliebrityWant to learn more about supporting female athletes in the journey from menstrual through maternal and into menopause? My online Female Hormonal Health Masterclass is loaded with evidence based strategies to help you help women live well - you can find all of my online courses at CelebrateMuliebrity.comSee you next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx

He's Back! I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Taylor a little while ago - ostensibly to talk about pudendal neuralgia...except we got sidetracked into an extensive discussion about male pelvic health. However, we did promise to re-convene and discuss Pudendal Neuralgia and here we are!In this conversation we talked about all the angles and our joint consensus is that most of the problems that are attributed to pudendal neuralgia are actually...not thatIn this conversation:​we talked about the potential for misdiagnosis (and gaslighting)​how the other nerves in the pelvis are often overlooked ​the importance of considering the whole person, including an assessment of their movement, their sciatic mobility, nutrition and sleep; we also explored the importance of a nuanced pelvic floor approach, taking things like constipation, breathing and inflammation into account​we paid respects to the complexity of persistent pelvic pain, and how systems are dynamic and interconnected - and the importance of listening to what’s really important to the person in front of us, and giving them knowledge, agency and support This is NOT a short conversation - but no apologies as we really wanted to give a comprehensive overview of assessment and treatment strategies for this often intimidating diagnosis - hopefully you’ll think we did a good job!Bill is an absolute superstar and one of my favourite colleagues and friends - I love the way he thinks and his openness to lateral thinking and exploration - Bill is doing a post-con at Pelvicon and you can find all his info at billtaylor.com💗💗💗Want to learn more about helping people manage pelvic pain diagnoses like pudendal neuralgia, vulvodynia, IC/bladder pain syndrome, menstrual pain and endometriosis? AND save some money? You have until the end of June to use the code RESEARCH75 at checkout on ANY of my online courses, from menopause to breast/ pelvic oncology, back pain to bowel health, hysterectomy to sexual health - all through a femalecentric lens! All of the course info and registration can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time: Onwards and Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity 🥳

Hello & Welcome to this episode - all about scar therapy after c-sections!My guest today is Hannah Poulton, women's health physio who is embarking on the fun and easy road to a PhD, all about postnatal scars. It should be noted that C-sections, the most common surgery worldwide, often require additional care due to the responsibility of caring for a newborn, after major abdominal surgery!In our conversation, we discussed the available evidence to support scar therapy after a C sectionOur conversation also covered various aspects of scar management, including manual therapy, movement, nutrition, sleep, and hydration, emphasising that scar treatment is part of a broader recovery process (lots of clinical pearls here!)We explored how scar tissue can affect pelvic health and bladder function, with Hannah noting that even old scars can benefit from treatment. Hannah is developing a questionnaire to standardise scar mobilisation techniques and shared that while research evidence is limited, there is documentation supporting the use of mobilisation and desensitisation for scar tissue.Hannah emphasises the importance of scar therapy in holistic treatment protocols, discussing various aspects of scar management and its impact on physical and emotional well-beingHannah discussed her upcoming Scar Symposium on November 15th at the Birmingham NEC, which will include research collaboration and teamwork focused on benefits for patients. You can find Hannah on instagram as @hlptherapy and her website HLP-therapy.co.uk) and she has requested as many questionnaire responses by the end of June as possible please!Want to learn more about women's health AND save money? All of my online courses, from Menstrual, Maternal & Menopausal Health to Oncology Rehab, Bowel Health or Back Pain through a femalecentric lens are on sale this month - just remember use the code RESEARCH75 at checkout to save €75! Visit celebratemuliebrity.com for all the deets!Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hi everyone and welcome to this episode, where I had the pleasure of chatting with physiotherapist, Rachael Kuik ,who has published the amazing 'Dancing Beyond' perinatal guidelines for female dancers and the healthcare professionals who serve them - an exciting development at the intersection of pelvic health and dance medicineIn this episode we discuss the intersection of pelvic health and the athletic needs of the perinatal dancer, the challenges and solutions in addressing the pelvic health needs within the dance community, including the need for multidisciplinary care, especially when considering prevalent issues including hypermobility and REDs, which will impact pelvic health.Rachael emphasises the importance of desensitising dancers to open discussions about these issues and provide them with educational resources, as well as discussing the importance of understanding the potential issues dancers may face, from pregnancy, through labour & delivery and the timing of postnatal return to exercise and dance.Lots of clinical pearls here with immediately applicable strategies, that we could actually apply to all female athletes!The guidelines & infographic that have been produced will be great resources for dancers, and can be accessed at Rachel's website, rachaelkuik.com/dancingbeyondWant to learn more about helping postnatal women return to exercise? There's a whole module on maternal health in my online course, Female Hormonal Health Masterclass, which also covers Menstrual and Menopausal Health - AND if you use the code RESEARCH75 at checkout, you can save €75 AND get evergreen access!! All of the course info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.comThanks for being here and as always, subscribing to follow the podcast and leaving a review is much appreciated! Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

New Podcast Alert ‼️ 🚨 I’m flying solo! Buckle up!!Today’s episode is all about 2025 research updates in women's health ( I know it’s only June but there’s been SO MUCH good literature so far this year - I just had to!!)👉For this episode, I’m focusing on different aspects of women’s health - starting with medical gaslighting experiences in vulvovaginal disorder patients, but quickly moving on to evidence based strategies from JAMA for improving patient-clinician relationships and managing treatment expectations, emphasizing the importance of a person-centered approach and addressing lifestyle factors. 👉Then I move on, with an exploration of 2025 papers on the gut microbiome's role in health, particularly musculoskeletal pain and bone health, then on to the evidence for multimodal pelvic floor physical therapy for female sexual dysfunction, and the management of endometriosis-related pain, including the questions we should be asking, how we should be asking them and the impact of pelvic floor exercise (to contract or not to contract?) and other interventions, such as whole body exercise, tens and using mindfulness.👉SUMMER SALE NOW ON! 🥳🥳🥳Want to learn more about Female Pelvic Pain Rehab? Or Female Hormonal Health? What about a femalecentric approach to Bowel Health or Back Pain? Or if oncology is your passion, perhaps Breast Cancer or Pelvic Cancer Rehab? Or perhaps Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility, or Prehab & Rehab for Hysterectomy? I’ve got you covered! 🌟 USE THE CODE RESEARCH75 AT CHECKOUT TO SAVE €75Check out the link in my bio or visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com! Until next time, onwards and upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Welcome to the podcast! I'm so glad you're here!This is one of the most revelatory conversations I’ve had on the podcast - about a diagnosis that too often flies under the radar, despite being potentially the second most common cause of pelvic pain (after endometriosis)I’m talking about Pelvic Venous Disease (formerly known as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome) and I’m talking to a leading expert on the conservative/ pelvic rehab management of it, Dr Julie BaronIn this conversation, we discussed:~ pelvic venous disorders, highlighting their prevalence as the second leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women after endometriosis, and discussed their symptoms, risk factors, and diagnostic tools. ~ Julie emphasized the importance of recognizing and treating these disorders to avoid unnecessary surgeries and improve patient outcomes. We also discussed potential connections to long Covid, endothelial dysfunction, and menopause.~ We chatted about surgical and conservative options; Julie discussed the complex interplay of factors contributing to pelvic venous disorder management, including breathing patterns, thoracic mobility, and pelvic floor function. She emphasized the importance of addressing these issues through conservative management strategies, such as improving thoracic mobility, optimizing breathing techniques, and retraining the pelvic floor muscles, and noted that these approaches can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for patients with PVD, potentially reducing the need for surgery...and SO much more!Want to learn more? Julie offers continuing education opportunities which you can check out on her website - drjuliebaron.com - she really is leading the conversation on this topic!If you'd like a deep dive into understanding and managing the treatment of women who are living with pelvic pain diagnoses such as vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and IC/bladder pain syndrome (and more!) then check out my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course, available at CelebrateMuliebrity.comStay tuned to my instagram feed, @michellelyons_muliebrity for ongoing updates in all things women's healthIf you're enjoying this podcast, I'd appreciate you following/subscribing and leaving a review, or a comment?Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & Welcome to this episode of the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast, where I had a great conversation with my Aussie Bestie, Fiona Rogers about the latest & greatest when it comes to using TENS for pelvic rehab. In this conversation, we talked about:⚡️ what tens is & isn’t (hello nmes! 👋)⚡️ we explored recent research advancements in using TENS for pelvic health, particularly for bladder and bowel urgency issues, as well as for managing pelvic pain conditions like dysmenorrhea and endometriosis⚡️ we discussed the safety and applications during pregnancy. Fiona clarified that TENS is safe for musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy , but not over the pregnant uterus. Fiona mentioned that TENS can be used on the lower back to avoid opioid medications & mentioned some specific safety issues⚡️ we explored tibial nerve stimulation - Fiona discussed the updated guidelines for managing urinary urgency, highlighting that transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) has been promoted to first-line treatment alongside lifestyle interventions and pelvic floor muscle training. ⚡️Fiona emphasised the cheap, effective, non-invasive nature of TTNS & also noted that it can be effective when used daily or weekly at home, with research indicating its efficacy is comparable to percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, which is typically done weekly in medical offices…and SO much much more! So many other clinical pearls to get the most out of this modality!😊😊😊You can learn more about all of this and more about Fiona & her courses here: https://pelvicflooreducationfionarogers.com.au/Podcast https://www.instagram.com/pelvichealthproductpodcast/PFE Website https://www.pelvicfloorexercise.com.auInstagram https://www.instagram.com/pelvicfloorexercise/📚 📚 📚 Want to learn more about promoting sexual health, treating dyspareunia, managing female pelvic pain, understanding the effects of different types of contraception and our evidence based role in promoting fertility, including ART/IVF? Then you might be interested in online courses, Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility or Female Pelvic Pain Rehab- you can find all the details of these and all my other online courses at the links in my instagram bio (@michellelyons_muliebrity) or visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com See you next time! Mx#celebratemuliebrity 🥳🥳🥳

Hello & Welcome to today's episode where I had the great pleasure of chatting with my friend & colleague, Dr Sara Chan Reardon, about her new book, Floored! (out June 10th)🥳🥳🥳Sara has built not only a successful clinical career but also a huge social media presence delivering pelvic health education, and now she’s in her writer era - her new book Floored! is now available for pre-order (with some extra goodies if you sign up via thevagwhisperer.comIn our conversation📝We discussed the challenges of transitioning from a clinical background to writing and the importance of educating women about all aspects of their pelvic health at every life stage, from menstrual health through perinatal to menopause and beyond, including bladder, bowel and pain issues📝Sara also emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that includes both in-person therapy and online resources. She shared her experiences as a pelvic health pysiotherapist, highlighting the challenges of reaching patients and the importance of demystifying pelvic health issues. 📝She also discussed the challenges of writing a book on the topic, including balancing technical information with accessibility for a wider audience & the conversation also touched on the importance of empowering women to advocate for themselves in medical settings and the need for a more preventative approach to pelvic health.📝I’ve had the pleasure reading an advance copy of Sara’s book ‘Floored’ and I think it’s going to be so valuable to both women who are interested in learning more about pelvic health at every age & stage but also to clinicians who are looking for accessible language and strategies to educate and empower women Pre-order your copy today at your local bookshop! (Floored will be available for purchase on June 10th)📚 📚 📚 Want to learn more about promoting sexual health, treating dyspareunia, understanding the effects of different types of contraception and our evidence based role in promoting fertility, including ART/IVF? Then you might be interested in my latest online course, Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility - you can find all the details at the links in my bio or visit CelebrateMuliebrity. com #celebratemuliebrity 🥳🥳🥳

Hello & Welcome to the Podcast! Gut Health and the Microbiome are some of my favourite things to talk, learn and think about - so who better to nerd out with about gut dysbiosis, heart rate variability (HRV), women's health and more - than Dr Susan Clinton!In this conversation we talk about how gut dysbiosis can affect musculoskeletal health, the importance of a multi-system approach to health, what a truly integrated biopsychosocial can/ needs to look like, practical skills for pelvic health integrating heart rate variability tracking, breath work, sleep and what we can do to avoid clinician burnout...and much more!You can find Susan at ltiphysio.com and on instagram as @sclintonpt and of course, Susan will be joining me when we are both presenting at Pelvicon in Atlanta in September (tickets are sold out but you can join us online - live virtual + recording - the link is in my bio on instagram @michellelyons_muliebrityIf you’re a women’s health professional and you’d like to learn more about menstrual, maternal or menopausal health, clinical reasoning for working with women who have a pelvic pain diagnosis such as endo or IC/BPS or vulvodynia, or you’d like to help women live well after breast or gynae or bowel cancer, or hysterectomy…or perhaps you’re interested in a femalecentric approach to bowel health or back pain? I’ve got you covered! Visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com for info on all of my online courses and find me on Instagram @michellelyons_muliebrity for all the latest in women’s healthUntil next time! Onwards & Upwards! Mx#celebratemuliebrity 🥳

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month so I'm delighted to share this chat I had with Dr Lizzy Deery, who is the author of this paper addressing the psychosocial factors around the return to exercise for postpartum womenThe paper is open access (yay!) and is called 'From insight to action: a qualitative study of the postpartum return to recreational exercise and sport in Ireland and the UK' Deery et al 2025In today’s episode:We discussed the challenges of exercising during pregnancy and postpartum, & agreed that there is still a need to educate the general population about the safety and benefits of physical activity during pregnancy. We highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy habits and the need for resources to support women in their transition to motherhood & emphasized the role of exercise in managing mental health and regaining a sense of identity after childbirth. We also explored the challenges women face when returning to exercise after pregnancy, emphasizing the need for education, support, and tailored guidelinesWe’re not even halfway through 2025 and already it’s shaping up to be a major step forward in terms of perinatal research - I’m looking forward to more conversations about this but in the meantime, if you’d like to add to your practical skills in helping women live well in the perinatal transition (as well as navigating puberty to perimenopause!) then you can find all you need to know in my online course, the Female Hormonal Health Masterclass - you can find all the details at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or at the link in my Instagram bio @michellelyons_muliebritySee you next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity 🥳💗

Hello & Welcome to the latest episode of the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast!After a short Easter break and a trip to Prague to present at SEUD (more about that soon!) we’re back with a new podcast episode - where Dr Becky Parr and I had a great time discussing pelvic health in athletes, trauma informed care and pelvic girdle pain & pregnancy related abdominal wall neuropathy (or PRAWN 🦐)Curious? Read on!Becky explains that PRAWN is an umbrella term for various abdominal nerve entrapment syndromes, often misdiagnosed as round ligament pain. She describes the anatomy involved and how the condition develops, typically around 12 weeks of pregnancy. We explored diagnostic techniques, particularly the Carnett's test, which helps differentiate between abdominal wall pain and visceral pain, and the importance of examining the abdomen for scars and assessing myofascial mobility when treating PRAWN.Becky has just had a paper on this topic published in the most recent issue of the pogp journal, which has become a must read resource for pelvic health clinicians under the stewardship of Grainne Donnelly at the editorial helmWe also discussed Becky’s other research interests, around the importance of integrating trauma-informed care principles into clinical practice, particularly in pelvic health settings. Becky shared her experiences teaching a mindful patient management course and conducting a longitudinal study on the impact of trauma-informed care on dpt students. We also discussed Becky's ongoing research on how pelvic health therapists become trauma-informed and the potential benefits of this knowledge for clinical practice and I’m looking forward to seeing this presented at IUGA in Barcelona in June. I’ll be there too, presenting about sexual health after cancer - will I see you there? Let me know!You can find Becky on LinkedIn , ResearchGate and on instagram as @beckyparrptI’m there too as @michellelyons_muliebrity, where you can follow my adventures in women’s health, stay up to date with research and find out more about my online courses (or visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com)Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity 

Hi everyone and welcome to this episode of the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast, where I had a great conversation with Dr Tina Mapa, who has built a flourishing career delivering pelvic healthcare, with a focus on dyspareunia, completely virtually!We talk about how telehealth is different and perhaps even superior in some regards when it comes to improving access to care and promoting self-efficacyWe did address how manual therapy and in person assessment skills can be adapted...We discussed the importance of promoting holistic health, the evolving understanding of pelvic pain, and the benefits of telehealth for pelvic health, particularly for those who have experienced trauma or pain.Dr. Tina discussed her background and current work in telehealth pelvic floor physical therapy, emphasising the importance of empowering patients to take charge of their own health and recovery through education. The conversation also touched on the benefits of telehealth for pelvic health, the challenges faced by women in healthcare, and the potential of a cash-based model for physical therapy. I think this was a really thought provoking conversation which may challenge some biases! To find out more about Tina and her work, you can find her on instagram as @dr.tinamapa and @vrdxdr.tinaWant to learn more about promoting sexual health, treating dyspareunia, understanding the effects of different types of contraception and our evidence based role in promoting fertility, including ART/IVF? Then you might be interested in my latest online course, Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility - you can find all the details at CelebrateMuliebrity.comQuestions or thoughts about this? Let me know! Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx and don't forget to #celebratemuliebrity

Hello & welcome to this episode all about the intersection of hip health and pelvic health, with one of my favourite researchers/clinicians, Dr Alison GrimaldiIn this episode we discuss the interconnectedness of the pelvic floor, hip muscles, and nerves in the pelvic region, how the pelvic floor works in conjunction with other muscles, particularly the obturator internus, to support pelvic function. We emphasized the importance of considering both pelvic floor and hip issues when treating patients, as weakness in hip muscles can affect pelvic floor function and vice versa. The conversation also covers the potential for sciatic nerve irritation in the deep gluteal space, particularly in athletes like cyclists and trail runners, and the importance of screening for pelvic floor issues in patients with hip or buttock pain.We shared our mutual disdain for the clamshell exercise (WHY do people recommend it?) and an exploration of Alison’s 2025 open access paper - a masterclass on gluteal tendinopathies Want to learn more from Alison?Here is the link to the Glasgow workshop: https://www.hampdensportsclinic.com/events/events-the-hip/and more course info:  https://dralisongrimaldi.com/event/online-hip-workshop-lateral-hip-and-buttock-pain-2025/  And if you’d like to learn more about the role of hormonal health in just about everything, but especially in a woman’s musculoskeletal health, head to CelebrateMuliebrity.com for info on my online Female Hormonal Health Masterclass & other courses, from Female Pelvic Pain, to Hysterectomy, Breast Cancer, Pelvic Cancer, Bowel Health & Back Pain - let me know if you have any questions via Instagram where I nerd out about women’s health as @michellelyons_muliebritySee you next time! Mx

Hello & Welcome to this episode of the podcast, where we're talking about all things prolapse, with advanced practice women's health physio (& pilates teacher!) Leah Bryans​In today’s conversation we discussed the evolution of our roles as physiotherapists, particularly in pelvic health. Leah shared her journey from not realizing the extent of what physio could do to becoming more confident in managing conditions like prolapse. ​We talked about the importance of continuous learning, collaboration with other professionals, and understanding the individual needs of patients, and of course I had to hop on my soapbox about the shift from being mechanics to educators, focusing on facilitating patient progress rather than fixing issues. ​We’re both keen to emphasise the need to consider patients' overall health, including their bladder and bowel function, fluid intake, and diet. We also highlighted the significance of assessing patients' pelvic floor movement and identifying risk factors for prolapse​We discussed the potential benefits and challenges of using pessaries for postnatal women, and noted that some women may be hesitant to try pessaries due to psychological barriers, while others may not be seen early enough in primary care or public systems to receive this treatment​We also discussed the importance of building confidence and gradually increasing strength in patients, particularly those with pelvic health issues. ​It’s important to remember the the need for a low-threat approach to exercise, focusing on breathwork, relaxation, flexibility, and proprioception at first. We also highlighted the benefits of Pilates as a gateway to heavier lifting and osteogenic activities. ​The conversation concluded with the importance of education in helping patients manage their conditions, including the use of tools like the femmeze for splinting during bowel movements.Leah teaches a prolapse management course with Suzanne Carney (@anatomy-_physiotherapy) and they have an upcoming event in May - contact them for details!And if you’d like to learn more about my online courses, please visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com Until next time, Onwards and Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity 🥳💗

Hello & Welcome to this week's episode, all about Food, Mood & Menopause with Dr Trish HeaveyTrish is a nutrition and menopause researcher at TUS here in Ireland and brings a practical and evidence based perspective to helping women life well during this transition In today’s episode, we talked about:how lifestyle strategies such as exercise & sleep are important at menopause but nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle Hormones vs Lifestyle? As Trish says, ‘you can’t outrun a bad diet’Better diet = Fewer symptoms Key foods to eat (and avoid) for overall health but especially mental health Low fat vs healthy fats, diet vs lifestyle and bad news for alcohol Why education and shared experiences are the key to empowering women at midlifeAnd much more!! I really enjoyed this chat and hope you enjoyed the many pearls of wisdom that Trish shared!And if you’re a women’s health professional and you want to learn more about helping women live well before, during and after menopause, my online courses are exactly what you need - check out the Female Hormonal Health Masterclass at CelebrateMuliebrity.com or visit the link in my instagram bio @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity 🥳

My first male guest on the podcast - who better than Bill Taylor!I've known Bill for ages and we can talk and talk and talk... Bill is a brilliant clinician and a great friend. We had intended to talk about pelvic neuralgias, and what makes us suspect or rule out the pudendal but...we actually ended up talking about male pelvic health (seems inevitable in hindsight with my first male guest!)Don't despair - I'm already working on getting Bill back for a chat about pelvic neuralgias - coming soon!We talked about male pelvic pain, sexual health, the differences (and similarities) between male and female patients and we we need more of the male perspective in pelvic rehab Bill was brilliant at Pelvicon last year and he's doing a position this year. In person tickets are sold out but you can purchase live online access to the main conference and get access to the recordings and manual here: https://pelvicon.mykajabi.com/offers/PfHzpsoWI hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed chatting - remember if you'd like to learn more about my online women's health courses, all the info can be found at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx

Hello & Welcome to today's episode - March is, as you know Endometriosis Awareness month - we know there's a lot of room to improve when it comes to diagnosis and treatment ...but today, I wanted to focus on what's going well when it comes to helping women with endometriosis live wellMy guest today is Emma Sheehy, a physiotherapist who is driving the conversation about a biopsychosocial multimodal approach to whole person management of endometriosisSome of the things we talked about:🤔 are we meeting women with persistent pelvic pain where THEY are🤔 what is the role of central sensitisation - can we do a better job recognizing problems before nociplastic changes set in?🤔 the importance of education around menstrual health, sexual health & pain management 🤔 what else needs to be considered beyond medical and surgical treatment?🤔 what does multimodal pelvic rehab look like, why multidisciplinary care matters and what WE as clinicians need to recognise to avoid burnout And much more!!If you’re a women’s health professional and you’d like to know more about an evidence based approach to working with women with pelvic pain, my online course, Female Pelvic Pain Rehab covers menstrual pain, endometriosis, IC/ Bladder Pain Syndrome, Vulvodynia and more, from the diagnosis to a multimodal approach to helping women live well, with a toolbox that includes lifestyle, biopsychosocial care, manual therapy and a large exercise library. You can find it at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.com or the info is on my instagram, @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time, Onwards and Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

New Podcast Alert ‼️ We are heading into Women in Sport week AND Women in Research week so this feels like the perfect time to share my conversation my Dr Emma Cowley - another of the great researchers from TUSIf you’ve ever said (or heard me say 😉) that only 6% of research in sports science is done on females - you have Emma to thank for that! ‘Invisible Sportswomen’ 2021)In this chat, we explore how Emma’s research has given us great insights into not only the lack of female specific research but also the psychosocial barriers and benefits to exercise for women at every age & stage, from adolescent girls (the Herizon 2021 paper) to challenges around body image for menopausal women in the gym (2025) I’ll put screenshots of Emma’s research in my instagram (@michellelyons_muliebrity) and you can find Emma on x as @emmacowley44 and on ResearchGateMy big takeaway from this conversation was the importance of creating a femalecentric approach to goal setting, creating a safe environment that has peer support and of course, getting more women into physical activity AND into research!If you’re a women’s health pro and you’d like to learn more about the benefits, the why as well as the how of physical fitness and strength at every age and stage, you’ll find all the info in my online course, Female Hormonal Health Masterclass - it covers menstrual, maternal & menopausal health from a biopsychosocial whole person approach, with evidence based strategies for pelvic & msk health, mental, metabolic, cardiovascular and so much more, then head to the link in my bio or visit my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time! Mx

hello there! Welcome to this week's episode of the podcast - thanks for joining the women's health conversationIn today’s podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with Edel Flynn, a PhD candidate at TUS University. Edel is looking at different lifestyle approaches for menopausal health and wellbeing, with a primary focus on exercise and education about lifestyle choices, including nutrition, stress management and the topic of our conversation - sleep In this conversation, Edel & I chat about: • why women & men may have different relationships with sleep • why sleep matters (spoiler: brain & heart & mental health, avoiding weight gain and chronic pain for starters) • what good sleep looks like, in terms of quality and quantity • successful sleep strategies for perimenopausal women Edel is part of a great team of women’s health researchers at TUS University and I’ll be sharing some conversations I’ve had with them over the coming weeks to showcase what we’re learning about women’s health & how that’s changing the conversation Are you a women’s health pro interested in menopausal health?Do you want to learn more about implementing successful sleep strategies for women at midlife? My online course, Female Hormonal Health Masterclass has a whole module on sleep - the evidence & how to apply it what to eat, how to exercise, restorative yoga by Laura Feeney - the link is in my bio or at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.comIf you’re enjoying the podcast, I’d love it if you can subscribe, rate and review it!Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx#celebratemuliebrity 💓