Pain during sex? We can help.
About Dyspareunia
Sex shouldn’t be painful and yet 10-20% of women have recurrent painful intercourse, known as dyspareunia (dis-puh-roo-nee-uh). Pain during sex can happen for structural or psychological reasons:
Dyspareunia is typically described as either entry (pain associated with initial penetration) or deep dyspareunia (pain associated with deep penetration).
Postpartum dyspareunia is extremely common. An estimated 50-60% of women have dyspareunia 6-7 weeks following childbirth, 33% report pain 3 months after childbirth, and 17% experience pain 6 months after childbirth.
Menopausal women can also experience painful intercourse due to vulvar and vaginal atrophy.
The Science
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help patients reduce overactivity or strengthen their pelvic floor muscles to alleviate painful intercourse.
A study in the International Urogynecology Journal found that pelvic floor physical therapy improves pelvic pain, sexual function, pelvic floor muscle strength.
Another study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that a strong pelvic floor is associated with higher rates of sexual activity and higher sexual function scores.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help.
Initial consultation (45 minutes): $100
Follow-up visits (30 minutes): $75
We currently don’t take insurance but we are happy to pull together a superbill that you can submit to insurance.
How it works
1. Schedule an initial visit using our website
2. See your physical therapist virtually
3. Schedule follow-up visits
Our benefits
Convenience
There’s no need to go to a physical therapy office—feel free to do your appointments from the comfort of your couch.
Experienced PTs
Our physical therapists are vetted for quality, experience, and ability to engage and empathize with patients.
Engaging curriculum
No more printed-out pages of exercises, we offer engaging videos on how to do the exercises that will help you bounce back from your condition.
Meet our physical therapists
Justine Williams Roper, PT DPT
Dr. Roper is a physical therapist with a passion for ensuring patients receive the best care and for expanding women's health physical therapy. Dr. Roper received her bachelor’s degree in health education from the University of Florida and her doctorate of physical therapy at Howard University. She is a trained pelvic floor specialist.
Janelle Gibson, PT DPT
Dr. Gibson is a physical therapist with extensive experience evaluating and treating a span of pelvic health diagnoses (all genders, trans-inclusive) as well as prenatal and postnatal fitness. Dr. Gibson received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from West Texas A&M University and her doctorate in physical therapy from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is a trained pelvic floor specialist.
Patient testimonials
Hear what patients have said about our amazing physical therapists!
“Dr. Roper is very knowledgeable and I like that she is truly concerned about her patients. She’s awesome!”
“Among the many healthcare providers I have seen, Janelle stands out as exceptional. Her passion for and expertise in treating women in the post-partum period is evident in her caring, sensitive, and professional approach.”
“Dr. Justine Williams is by far one of the best physical therapists I have worked with for a multitude of reasons.”
FAQs
What is the pelvic floor?
Shaped like a hammock, your pelvic floor is composed of a group of muscles in the pelvis. Pelvic floor muscles play a critical role in controlling the bladder and as supportive muscles that connect to your lower back and abdominal muscles. Weakened or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles fail to provide enough support for the bladder causing leaks to occur when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise.
What are pelvic floor disorders (PFDs)?
Pelvic floor disorders are various health conditions that occur when there is either too much (hypertonal) or not enough (hypotonal) tension in the pelvic floor muscles. This can happen as a result of childbirth, menopause, injury, aging, or other chronic conditions. PFDs are very common and impact 1 in 4 women in the U.S. The most common types of PFDs are pelvic organ prolapse (POP), bladder control problems (urinary incontinence), and bowel control problems (fecal incontinence).
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is just like any other physical therapy but focused on strengthening and improving coordination in muscles in your pelvic floor. Our clinicians are licensed physical therapists who received additional training, specialization, and certification in treating pelvic floor conditions.
How much does it cost?
Initial evaluations (45 minutes) are $100 and subsequent follow-up visits (30 minutes) are $75. We do not take insurance but we are happy to put together a superbill for you upon request ([email protected]). If you’d like to meet with a licensed physical therapist to learn more about virtual PT, you can also make an appointment for free initial consult (15 minutes).
Does it work?
Yes, clinical evidence for pelvic floor physical therapy is very well documented. In fact, a study from Stanford Urogynecology recommended as a “first-line, low-risk, minimally invasive therapy” for preventing and treating pelvic floor conditions and concluded that “PFPT should be commonly recommended during pregnancy and after birth to prevent and treat urinary incontinence, POP and postpartum sexual dysfunction.”
Do I need a referral?
No, most states, including Virginia, are direct access states and you are able to see a physical therapist without a referral from your doctor for up to 30 days. If you would like us to reach out to your provider on your behalf for a referral at that point, please send us an email at [email protected]!
Is it safe for pregnant women?
Pelvic floor physical therapy is safe and effective for treating and preventing common complications during late pregnancy and postpartum and is recommended as a first-line treatment and prevention for future conditions.
What conditions do you treat?
Our physical therapists treat orthopedic and pelvic floor conditions. The pelvic floor conditions that we treat include the following:
Prenatal prevention
pelvic floor strengthening
Postpartum complications
pelvic floor strengthening
abdominal separation (diastasis recti abdominis - DRA)
problems related to perineal tearing or episiotomy or cesarean section scars
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
incontinence (stress and urge) following delivery or at ANY point postpartum
Pelvic floor disorders / pelvic pain
vaginismus
dyspareunia (pain with sex)
menopausal related changes
painful bladder syndrome (PBS)/interstitial cystitis (IC)
persistent pelvic floor tension myalgia (pain)
pelvic girdle pain (sacroiliac joint dysfunction, pubic pain) and coccydynia (coccyx or tailbone pain)
nerve pain (neuralgia) affecting the pelvic nerves
female pelvic pain (vulvodynia)
General incontinence
urinary incontinence: stress, urge, and mixed
urgency and frequency
bowel dysfunction (chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome)
anal fissures
Sources: American Family Physicians, Meir Medical Center, International Urogynecology Journal (study 1, study 2), National Institutes of Health