5 Things We Hear Every Day in the Clinic (And Why You Shouldn't Ignore Them)

At AK Pelvic Health & Wellness, there are a handful of phrases we hear almost EVERY SINGLE DAY.

And here's the thing: almost every person who says them believes they're alone.

They think they're the only one leaking during workouts, peeing all the time, feeling pressure, having painful intimacy, or wondering why their body doesn't feel the same anymore.

The truth?

They're not alone.

In fact, these are some of the most common conversations we have in the clinic every single day.

If any of these sound familiar, we want you to know one thing:

These symptoms may be common, but they are not something you simply have to live with.✨

1. "I thought this was just part of getting older."

This might be the phrase we hear the most.

Whether someone is in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, many assume leaking, pelvic pressure, painful intimacy, constipation, or getting up multiple times a night to pee are simply inevitable parts of aging.

But many of these symptoms are actually signs that your pelvic floor, core, breathing patterns, and pressure management system need support.

Aging isn't the problem.

Your body may simply need a new strategy.

Growing older does not automatically mean accepting discomfort.

2. "I thought this was normal after having kids."

We hear this from moms who are 6 months postpartum… and moms who are 20+ years postpartum.

Many women are told to expect:

• Leaking when they run

• A weak core

• Low back pain

• Pain with intimacy

• Feeling disconnected from their body

• Pelvic heaviness or pressure

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While these symptoms are common, they're not something you have to simply tolerate forever.

Postpartum recovery doesn't have an expiration date.

Whether you had a baby 6 weeks ago or 16 years ago, it's never too late to address these symptoms.

3. "I've tried Kegels, but nothing changed."

This is one of our favorite myths to bust.

Your pelvic floor isn't simply a muscle that needs more tightening or strength.

In many cases, we actually find that the pelvic floor is overworking, holding tension, or struggling to coordinate with breathing and the core.

Just like any other muscle in the body, the pelvic floor needs to both:

✔️ Lengthen

✔️ Load

✔️ Contract

Sometimes the answer isn't doing more Kegels.

Sometimes it's learning how to let go first.

4. "I've stopped doing the things I love because of my symptoms."

This one always makes us pause.

We hear patients say:

"I stopped running."

"I stopped jumping."

"I don't travel anymore because I always need a bathroom nearby."

"I don't lift heavy things."

"I'm scared to exercise."

"I've stopped being intimate."

No one should have to organize their entire life around pelvic floor symptoms or where a bathroom is.

Our goal isn't simply to reduce symptoms.

Our goal is to help people return to the things that bring them joy.

Because life is too short to sit on the sidelines.

5. "I wish I would have come sooner."

We hear this almost every day.

Many patients spend years trying to manage symptoms on their own before seeking help.

✔️ They've Googled.

✔️ They've watched videos.

✔️ They've bought gadgets.

✔️ They've accepted that this is "just how it is."

Then, after a few visits, they often say:

"I had no idea my body could feel this different."

We love hearing this because it means people are finally getting answers.

But we also wish more people knew they didn't have to wait.

The Bigger Picture

At AK Pelvic Health & Wellness, we work with women & men across all ages and stages of life.

We help people with:

• Urinary leakage

• Urinary urgency and frequency

• Pelvic pain

• Constipation

• Pelvic pressure or prolapse symptoms

• Pain with intimacy

• Erectile dysfunction

• Low back, hip, and tailbone pain

• Pregnancy and postpartum recovery

• Perimenopause and menopause

• Birth Prep

• Pessaries

• Returning to exercise, running, hiking, lifting, and daily life

  
  

  Your symptoms are common—but they are not something you simply have to live with. You're not alone, and with the right support, things can get better.

The Bottom Line

If you've ever found yourself saying:

"I thought this was normal."

"I thought this was part of aging."

"I thought I just needed stronger muscles."

"I thought I had to live with it."

…we want you to know there's another option.

You don't have to wait until symptoms get worse.

You don't have to stop doing the things you love.

And you definitely don't have to figure it out alone.

At AK Pelvic Health & Wellness, we help women and men throughout Anchorage and across Alaska return to exercise, intimacy, work, and everyday life without fear, worry, or pain.

💜 Because you deserve to move, feel, and live better.