What Is Fertility-Focused Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Fertility-focused pelvic floor therapy is specialized pelvic health care designed to address factors that may affect comfort, function, movement, and sexual health during the preconception and fertility journey.
The pelvic floor plays an important role in pelvic stability, circulation, bladder and bowel function, sexual function, and the physical experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
Our goal is not to promise that pelvic floor therapy will "fix" infertility. Instead, we focus on identifying and addressing modifiable pelvic health and functional factors that may be contributing to pain, dysfunction, or difficulty participating fully in your fertility journey.
Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms, history, goals, and current fertility care.
Who Can Benefit From Fertility-Focused Pelvic Health?
Fertility-focused pelvic floor therapy may be appropriate if you are:
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Preparing your body for pregnancy
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Trying to conceive
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Preparing for fertility treatment
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Experiencing pelvic pain while trying to conceive
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Experiencing pain with intercourse
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Having difficulty with vaginal penetration
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Managing endometriosis-related pelvic pain
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Living with pelvic floor muscle tension
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Experiencing chronic or persistent pelvic pain
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Managing bowel or bladder dysfunction
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Preparing for pregnancy after a previous loss
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Preparing for IVF or other assisted reproductive treatments
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Looking for supportive care alongside your reproductive healthcare team
You do not need to have a diagnosed pelvic floor disorder to benefit from learning more about your pelvic health.
Pelvic Floor Therapy & Fertility
Your pelvic floor is part of a larger system.
Pelvic floor muscles that are overly tense, weak, poorly coordinated, or sensitive can contribute to pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction. These symptoms can make intercourse, pelvic examinations, fertility treatments, exercise, and everyday activities more difficult.
Fertility-focused pelvic health therapy may address:
Pelvic Floor Muscle Function
Assessment and treatment of pelvic floor muscle coordination, tension, strength, relaxation, and functional control.
Health & Wellness Coaching
Education on relevant lab work, diet and lifestyle modifications that support fertility and general health.
Pelvic Pain
Support for chronic or persistent pelvic pain, including pain associated with conditions such as endometriosis.
Pain With Intercourse
Treatment strategies for painful intercourse, pelvic floor overactivity, and difficulty with penetration.
Movement & Exercise
Individualized movement strategies to support strength, mobility, body awareness, and physical readiness for pregnancy.
Bowel & Bladder Function
Addressing constipation, straining, urinary symptoms, or other pelvic health concerns that may affect comfort and quality of life.
Nervous System Regulation
Pelvic pain and persistent symptoms can involve the nervous system. Treatment may incorporate breathing, relaxation, body awareness, and strategies to help your nervous system feel safer and more regulated.
Fertility Support for Endometriosis & Complex Pelvic Pain
If you are trying to conceive while living with endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain, you may feel like your body is working against you.
Endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain can affect movement, sexual function, bowel and bladder function, and quality of life.
At HerPath, complex pelvic pain is a particular area of interest. We take time to understand your history and how your symptoms affect your daily life rather than focusing on a single body part or isolated symptom.
Treatment is collaborative and can complement the care you are already receiving from your gynecologist, reproductive endocrinologist, or other healthcare providers.
Preparing for Fertility Treatment
Fertility treatment can involve procedures, medications, frequent appointments, and significant physical and emotional demands.
Pelvic health therapy can provide an additional layer of support by helping you understand your body and address existing pelvic health concerns before or during treatment.
Depending on your needs, we may work on:
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Pelvic floor relaxation and coordination
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Pelvic pain
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Pain with intercourse
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Mobility and movement
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Breathing and pressure management
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Bowel and bladder function
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Body awareness
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Strategies for managing physical symptoms during treatment
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Preparing for the physical changes of pregnancy
Your fertility care team remains an essential part of your treatment. Pelvic health therapy is intended to complement—not replace—medical fertility care.
A Whole-Person Approach to Fertility
At HerPath, fertility support extends beyond the pelvic floor.
Dr. Kelsie Kavadas, OTD, OTR/L, PRPC, PRFS is a Certified Pelvic Rehab Practitioner and Certified Pelvic Rehab Fertility Specialist with advanced training in functional nutrition and fertility-focused pelvic rehabilitation.
This allows care to consider the many interconnected factors that can influence how you feel and function, including:
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Pelvic health
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Movement and exercise
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Nutrition
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Digestion and bowel health
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Stress and nervous system regulation
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Sleep and recovery
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Sexual health
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Daily routines and habits
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Overall quality of life
What to Expect
Your first appointment begins with a conversation.
We'll discuss your fertility journey, pelvic health history, symptoms, goals, and the activities that are important to you.
Your evaluation may include assessment of:
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Pelvic and abdominal symptoms
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Movement and mobility
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Breathing patterns
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Core and pressure management
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Pelvic floor function
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Bowel and bladder habits
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Sexual function
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Functional activities and exercise
An internal pelvic floor assessment may be offered when clinically appropriate, but it is never required. You remain in control of your care, and all assessment and treatment is performed with your informed, ongoing consent.
Fertility Pelvic Floor Therapy in Visalia, CA
If you're searching for fertility pelvic floor therapy in Visalia, CA, HerPath Occupational Therapy & Wellness offers specialized pelvic health care for women throughout Visalia and Tulare County.
Our goal is to give you a place to address the physical and functional aspects of your fertility journey while working alongside your existing medical care.
You don't have to wait until you're pregnant to start caring for your pelvic health.
Your body deserves support before, during, and beyond your fertility journey.