Healing from the Inside Out | Pelvic Health After Breast Cancer

Healing from the Inside Out | Pelvic Health After Breast Cancer

Hi friends, I’m Dr. Kristin Johnson. I’ve had the honor of working with women navigating physical therapy rehab after breast cancer, and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to share some key insights and tips relating to the pelvic floor.

Let’s dive into what the pelvic floor is, how pelvic floor physical therapy can support you after treatment, and 3 tips for cancer survivors!

What Is the Pelvic Floor?

Think of the pelvic floor as a bowl of muscles sitting inside your pelvis.

These muscles are responsible for:

  • Supporting organs: bladder, uterus, rectum, intestines—and even babies during pregnancy.

  • Controlling “the exits”: the muscles wrap around the sphincters, opening and closing with coordination. A “tight” pelvic floor does not mean a strong one! (In fact, kegels at stoplights are rarely the answer.) 

  • Providing stability: the pelvic floor is deeply connected to your core, spine, and posture.

  • Sexual health: dysfunction can lead to pain, leakage with sex, weak orgasms, erectile dysfunction, or changes in sensation.

  • Circulation: these muscles help lymphatic and venous return—especially important if lymph nodes have been affected

How Pelvic Floor PT Helps After Cancer

The first step is always oncologist clearance for internal exams, manual therapy, or exercise. From there, your pelvic floor physical therapy can guide a safe, gradual return to your favorite things!

Your holistic pelvic floor therapist should address:

  • Hip and glute strength

  • Core + pelvic floor strength and mobility

  • Scar tissue (yes—even laparoscopic scars!)

  • Posture

  • Spine mobility

  • Bladder and bowel habits, diet, and hydration

  • Swelling (with manual lymphatic drainage if needed)

  • Heart rate + oxygen monitoring during exercise

Common Concerns Pelvic Floor PT Can Help With

  • Pelvic pain

  • Bladder leakage 

  • Pain with intercourse

  • Low back, hip, or orthopedic pain

  • Scar mobilization & fascial work

  • Pelvic floor tightness or weakness

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Endometriosis & Adenomyosis

  • Post-op rehab (hysterectomy, mommy makeover, prolapse surgeries)

  • Whole body strength (core, hips, glutes)

3 Tips for Cancer Survivors

1. Medically-Induced Menopause Support

Cancer treatments may bring on menopause symptoms that impact the pelvic floor. Talk with your provider about topical estrogen and daily moisturizers.This can help with UTI’s, vaginal dryness, and dribbling urine.

My favorite brand: Good Clean Love

2. Constipation Connection

Constipation is common post-treatment and often contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction. Remember: having daily BMs doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear—check ease of going and your stool consistency.

  • Use a Squatty Potty or stool 

  • Meet your daily fiber goals: ~20-25 grams

  • Track bowel/bladder habits with pen & paper or free apps like Bowelle or IUFLow

3. Sensation & Muscle Control

Cancer treatments can affect nerve function and firing, making it harder to sense or control the pelvic floor muscles. PT can help retrain this connection and so much more.

***

I hope you consider and understand the value of having a pelvic floor physical therapy on your team! 

You’re Not Alone

 

About Dr. Kristin Johnson, PT, DPT 

Dr Kristin is a Holistic Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, podcast host of Stop Peeing Your Pants and owner of R3 Mobile Physical Therapy serving women in the Phoenix Valley.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out for prayer and support on Instagram @stoppeeingyourpants or @r3mobilept.


 


Local to Phoenix? Submit a request for an in-home evaluation at R3 Mobile Physical Therapy.

The Barefoot Advantage